Table 1.

Applications of Key Health Behavior Theories to Diabetes Family and Self-Management in Youth With Diabetes

Behavioral strategies	Example intervention components
Social cognitive theory
Mastery experiences: teaching management tasks with receding adult assistance	Coping skills training (Grey et al., 2000): group role-plays diabetes management in social settings; feedback from peers and coach; problem-solving skills training
Social learning: observational learning of skills and care tasks from parents or other youth	Internet-based self-management program (Mulvaney et al., 2010): anticipating personal barriers to self-management; training in coping and problem-solving skills; social networking forum
Outcome expectancies: education plus cognitive restructuring of maladaptive beliefs
Family systems theory
Collaborative involvement: parent role in care shifts from completing tasks to partnering with child to monitoring and providing support	Family teamwork (Anderson et al., 1999): education about developmentally appropriate self-management; develop plan for sharing responsibility; communication skills training
Family communication: calm, nonjudgmental conversational style among family members on diabetes-related topics	Behavioral family systems therapy for diabetes (Wysocki et al., 2007): training in family communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, cognitive restructuring
Social ecological model
Targeted interventions: tailor intervention content and format to match emotional, cognitive, socioeconomic, or health needs of individual, family, social context, etc.	Multisystemic therapy (Ellis et al., 2008); novel interventions in children’s healthcare (Harris et al., 2014): intervention occurs in multiple settings (e.g., home, community, school) and tailored to individual and family needs; incorporate case management as needed
Healthcare system interventions: medical team integrates proactive or preventive behavioral strategies to enhance care of all youth and families	Quality of life monitoring and feedback (de Wit et al., 2010); motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 2013): healthcare team uses behaviorally informed communications as part of routine care; tailored to individual and family