de Wit M, Snoek FJ. Depressive symptoms and unmet psychological needs of Dutch youth with type 1 diabetes: results of a web‐survey.
Objective: To examine rates of depression and (un)met psychological needs in youth with type 1 diabetes.
Methods: An open‐access web‐survey was conducted, collecting data on demographics, self‐reported HbA1c, depressive symptoms [Child Depression Inventory (CDI)], wished and received psychological care in youth with type 1 diabetes (9–19 years).
Results: The survey was completed by 233 youth; 17.2% reported elevated depressive symptoms on the CDI, girls more than boys (p = 0.003). Half of the youth did not talk about their feelings with their pediatrician or nurse. Of those youth with elevated depressive symptoms, 28% received psychological care, 25% wished to see a psychologist and 47% did not think it was necessary to receive psychological support.
Discussion: This web‐survey confirms the high prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms in youth with type 1 diabetes and the urgency to address their psychological needs. Screening for depressive symptoms in the context of periodic outpatient consultation could improve early detection and treatment of emotional problems.