Maternal parenting style and adjustment in adolescents with type I diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between maternal parenting style and indicators of well-being among adolescents with diabetes. METHODS Seventy-eight adolescents (ages 11.58-17.42 years, M = 14.21) with type 1 diabetes and their mothers separately reported perceptions of maternal parenting style. Adolescents reported their own depressed mood, self-efficacy for managing diabetes, and diabetes regimen adherence. RESULTS Adolescents' perceptions of maternal psychological control were associated with greater depressed mood regardless of age and gender. Firm control was strongly associated with greater depressed mood and poorer self-efficacy among older adolescents, less strongly among younger adolescents. Adolescents' perceptions of maternal acceptance were associated with less depressed mood, particularly for girls and with better self-efficacy for diabetes management, particularly for older adolescents and girls. Maternal reports of acceptance were associated only with adherence. CONCLUSIONS Maternal parenting style is associated with well-being in adolescents with diabetes, but this association is complex and moderated by age and gender.