The intersection of adolescent development and intensive intervention: age-related psychosocial correlates of treatment regimens in the diabetes control and complication trial.

OBJECTIVE To provide evidence relevant to developmentally sensitive intervention and prevention of adolescents' psychosocial distress associated with treatment of type 1 diabetes. METHODS We used self-reports on the Diabetes Quality of Life and SCL-90-R inventories administered at baseline, 1, and 3 years following adolescents' (n = 224) entry into the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. RESULTS Initiation of intensive treatment in early adolescence was associated with increasing school dissatisfaction; initiation in later adolescence resulted in marginal elevations in psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS Age at entry moderates impact of intensive treatment on reported psychosocial distress. Intervention and prevention efforts sensitive to the interaction of developmental tasks with health treatment goals may optimize the well-being of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.