TEENCOPE: An Internet Coping Skills Training Program for Teens With Type 1 Diabetes

It is well established that for many youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the developmental stage of puberty is characterized by a significant deterioration in metabolic control. Previous research conducted by the Yale School of Nursing demonstrates that providing cognitive-behavioral coping skills training program (CST) as a supplement to intensive medical treatment regimen enhances physiological and psychosocial outcomes - most notably in youth as they approach adolescence. Successful CST programs studied at Yale consist of weekly, in-person group sessions over a 5-week period conducted by a clinical psychologist or social worker. Rapid advances in technology have made the internet a compelling tool to reach out to youth and significantly broaden the application of CST programs. Investigators at Yale (scientists, NPs, clinical psychologists) have teamed with web specialists (computer programmers, web designers, graphic artists, and illustrators) and youth with T1D and their parents to adapt the successful CST program for use on the internet. In this trial, internet-based CST (TeenCope) will be evaluated by comparing it to an internet-based education program for managing diabetes (Managing Diabetes). Three hundred (300) youth from 4 different sites within the U.S will take part in the study. Youth will be randomly assigned to complete either the TeenCope or Managing Diabetes program right away, and will be given the opportunity to complete the alternate program after 12 months. Data on psychosocial and disease management parameters will be collected at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months through youth filling out online questionnaires (lasting approximately 30 minutes). Clinical outcome data (height, weight, HbA1c, episodes of hypoglycemia, DKA, and hospitalization) will be collected from the medical chart throughout the study, and parents will complete a demographic data form. This study has great potential for working with youth with type 1 diabetes. If proven effective, the investigators are interested in continued dissemination and translation of this intervention beyond their geographical location.