Randomized, controlled trial of behavior therapy for families of adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To describe the short-term results of a controlled trial of Behavioral Family Systems Therapy (BFST) for families of adolescents with diabetes. METHODS We randomized 119 families of adolescents with diabetes to 3 months' treatment with either BFST, an education and support Group (ES), or current therapy (CT). Family relationships, psychological adjustment to diabetes, treatment adherence and diabetic control were assessed at baseline, after 3 months of treatment (reported here), and 6 and 12 months later. RESULTS Compared with CT and ES, BFST yielded more improvement in parent-adolescent relations and reduced diabetes-specific conflict. Effects on psychological adjustment to diabetes and diabetic control were less robust and depended on the adolescent's age and gender. There were no effects on treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS BFST yielded some improvement in parent-adolescent relationships; its effects on diabetes outcomes depended on the adolescent's age and gender. Factors mediating the effectiveness of BFST must be clarified.