Habit and Diabetes Self-Management in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Authors

C. Cummings, University of Nevada - Reno
N. E. Benjamin, Marquette University
H. Y. Prabju, University of Cincinnati
L. B. Cohen, University of Nevada - Reno
B. J. Goddard, University of Nevada - Reno
Astrida S. Kaugars, Marquette UniversityFollow
T. Humiston, University of Nevada - Reno
A. H. Lansing, University of Nevada - Reno

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2022

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Health Psychology

Source ISSN

0278-6133

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1037/hea0001097

Abstract

Objective: The development of habit (i.e., behavioral automaticity, the extent to which a behavior is performed with decreased thresholds for time, attention [effort], conscious awareness, and goal dependence), for goal-directed health behaviors facilitates health behavior engagement in daily life. However, there is a paucity of research examining automaticity for Type 1 diabetes self-management in adolescence. This study examined if greater perceived automaticity for diabetes self-management was associated with increased daily self-management, decreased daily self-regulation failures in glucose checking, and more optimal daily glycemic levels in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Method: Adolescents aged 13–17 and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (n = 79) completed the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index, a measure of automaticity of diabetes self-management (i.e., automaticity of glucose checking, carbohydrate counting, and insulin dosing), and a measure of perceived self-management at baseline. One to 3 months later, a subsample of teens (n = 42) also completed a daily diary for a 7-day period including perceptions of daily self-management, daily self-regulation failures in glucose checking, and daily glucose levels. Results: Greater overall automaticity of diabetes self-management was associated with greater baseline and daily self-management, fewer daily self-regulation failures in glucose checking, and lower average daily mean blood glucose levels but not more optimal daily variations in blood glucose levels. Conclusions: Greater automaticity for diabetes self-management may support more optimal daily diabetes self-management in adolescence. Further research is needed to clarify the benefits and mechanisms of automaticity and explore possible interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Comments

Accepted version. Health Psychology, Vol. 41, No. 1 (2022): 13-22. DOI. © 2022 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Cummings, C.; Benjamin, N. E.; Prabju, H. Y.; Cohen, L. B.; Goddard, B. J.; Kaugars, Astrida S.; Humiston, T.; and Lansing, A. H., "Habit and Diabetes Self-Management in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes" (2022). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 555.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/555