Fear of hypoglycemia in parents of young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The current study examined fear of hypoglycemia in 81 mothers and 64 fathers of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-P-YC possible range = 26-130). Mothers and fathers completed the HFS-P-YC at enrollment and mothers completed it 2 weeks later. Families recorded daily blood glucose on a standardized meter for 2 weeks. Mothers' mean total HFS-P-YC score was 75.0 (SD = 17.2) and fathers' mean score was 66.5 (SD = 18.0). Mothers reported greater HFS-P-YC total and behavior subscale scores than fathers. Mothers' HFS-P-YC scores were comparable to published HFS scores for mothers of preadolescents with T1DM and higher than adult patients with T1DM. The HFS-P-YC had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability in this sample. These findings suggest parents of young children with T1DM report a high level of fear of hypoglycemia. Additionally, the HFS-P-YC appears to be a reliable measure in this population.

Parental fear of hypoglycemia: young children treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the association between parental fear of hypoglycemia and average daily blood glucose control of young children with type 1 diabetes receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). We hypothesized that parental fear of hypoglycemia would correlate positively with children's average daily blood glucose control. METHODS: Twenty-four families of children with type 1 diabetes who were receiving CSII were recruited from a pediatric hospital. Children had a mean age of 5.7 +/- 1.8 yr (range 2-8 yr) and were evenly split on gender. Parents completed a modified version of the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey - Parents of Young Children (HFS-PYC), a measure designed to assess fear and avoidance behaviors associated with hypoglycemia. Blood glucose was assessed for the 2 wk following completion of the HFS-PYC using a standard home blood glucose meter. RESULTS: Parents of young children obtained a mean total HFS-PYC score of 81 +/- 14.1 (possible range 26-130), suggesting a moderate level of fear. The HFS-PYC was found to be internally consistent and had good test-retest reliability. For parents of young children receiving CSII, fear of hypoglycemia correlated positively with children's mean daily blood glucose levels (r = 0.41, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Parents of young children with type 1 diabetes who are receiving CSII report significant fear of hypoglycemia. Parental fear of hypoglycemia may be a barrier to prevent optimal glycemic control.

Psychosocial profiles of older adolescent MDMA users.

PURPOSE: Using a case-control design, patterns of drug use, psychological symptoms, and behavioral characteristics associated with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA ) use were surveyed in a sample of older adolescents (median age 20). METHODS: One hundred (42 MDMA users; 58 non-MDMA users) older adolescents were recruited using the "snowball" technique and interviewed regarding their use of MDMA and other drugs. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT), the HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STD) risk scale, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were also administered. RESULTS: MDMA users were more likely to use other substances, endorse more symptoms of psychological distress, and had more problems in functional lifestyle areas. They also reported more childhood experiences of physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect than non-MDMA users. MDMA users also reported more sexually risky behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Occasional MDMA use among older adolescents was associated with polydrug use, multiple social difficulties, psychological symptoms, and health risk behaviors. Further research is warranted to understand the long term psychosocial consequences of chronic MDMA and polydrug usage.