# The Impact of the 10VIDA Program on Socioemotional Adjustment and Psychological Well-Being in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Preliminary Study

## TL;DR

A psychological program called 10VIDA improved emotional health and reduced stress in teens with type 1 diabetes, with different effects seen in boys and girls.

## Contribution

The 10VIDA program is a novel psychological intervention that successfully reshapes illness perception and improves socioemotional adjustment in adolescents with T1DM.

## Key findings

- The 10VIDA program reduced psychological discomfort, anxiety, and depression in adolescents with T1DM.
- Girls experienced higher anxiety and depression, while boys showed higher self-esteem and emotional regulation.
- Parental support through autonomy and communication improved adolescent well-being, while psychological control increased distress.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
Effectiveness of the 10VIDA program: Adolescents who participated in the intervention showed reductions in psychological discomfort, anxiety, depression, and perceived illness threat, as well as increases in self-esteem, emotional well-being, and socioemotional competencies. These effects were observed both in comparison with the control group and within the same adolescents over time. Improvements after 10VIDA intervention indicate that reshaping illness perception toward a more manageable and less threatening experience is possible through targeted psychological intervention.Gender differences: Girls reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and illness perception, whereas boys demonstrated higher self-esteem, emotional well-being, and greater emotional regulation skills. These findings suggest that the psychosocial burden of T1DM is distributed unevenly between genders.Parental influence and the importance of family support: Adolescents who perceived greater parental support through autonomy promotion and open communication reported higher well-being, while perceptions of high psychological control correlated with emotional distress. This highlights the dual role of family dynamics in either buffering or intensifying the challenges of chronic illness.

Effectiveness of the 10VIDA program: Adolescents who participated in the intervention showed reductions in psychological discomfort, anxiety, depression, and perceived illness threat, as well as increases in self-esteem, emotional well-being, and socioemotional competencies. These effects were observed both in comparison with the control group and within the same adolescents over time. Improvements after 10VIDA intervention indicate that reshaping illness perception toward a more manageable and less threatening experience is possible through targeted psychological intervention.

Gender differences: Girls reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and illness perception, whereas boys demonstrated higher self-esteem, emotional well-being, and greater emotional regulation skills. These findings suggest that the psychosocial burden of T1DM is distributed unevenly between genders.

Parental influence and the importance of family support: Adolescents who perceived greater parental support through autonomy promotion and open communication reported higher well-being, while perceptions of high psychological control correlated with emotional distress. This highlights the dual role of family dynamics in either buffering or intensifying the challenges of chronic illness.

What are the implications of the main findings?
Integration of psychosocial care into diabetes treatment: The evidence supports the inclusion of structured psychological interventions, such as 10VIDA, in routine pediatric diabetes care. Such integration may enhance adherence to treatment regimens and ultimately improve both psychological and physical health outcomes.Need for gender-sensitive interventions: Because girls with T1DM appear more vulnerable to internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression), interventions should include tailored components that specifically address these risks, while reinforcing boys’ emotion regulation skills to sustain positive adjustment.Family-centered approaches: The role of caregivers is critical. Programs that actively involve parents and other family members and try to promote characteristics such as autonomy and proper communication may strengthen resilience and reduce illness perceptions in adolescents.Long-term and large-scale research: Although preliminary results are promising, larger and more diverse samples are needed to confirm the effects. Future studies should assess whether these improvements in socioemotional adjustment translate into better glycemic control and long-term health outcomes. This can be done by measuring objective indicators like HbA1c across time to observe the degree to which it varies.Contribution to intervention science: By grounding itself in a theoretical model of clinical illness in adolescents that identifies the most important psychosocial factors in promoting a successful adaptation to illness, this intervention addresses previous gaps in psychoeducational programs. Its focus on emotional regulation, self-concept, and social relationships provides a theoretically consistent framework that could serve as a model for other chronic illness interventions.

Integration of psychosocial care into diabetes treatment: The evidence supports the inclusion of structured psychological interventions, such as 10VIDA, in routine pediatric diabetes care. Such integration may enhance adherence to treatment regimens and ultimately improve both psychological and physical health outcomes.

Need for gender-sensitive interventions: Because girls with T1DM appear more vulnerable to internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression), interventions should include tailored components that specifically address these risks, while reinforcing boys’ emotion regulation skills to sustain positive adjustment.

Family-centered approaches: The role of caregivers is critical. Programs that actively involve parents and other family members and try to promote characteristics such as autonomy and proper communication may strengthen resilience and reduce illness perceptions in adolescents.

Long-term and large-scale research: Although preliminary results are promising, larger and more diverse samples are needed to confirm the effects. Future studies should assess whether these improvements in socioemotional adjustment translate into better glycemic control and long-term health outcomes. This can be done by measuring objective indicators like HbA1c across time to observe the degree to which it varies.

Contribution to intervention science: By grounding itself in a theoretical model of clinical illness in adolescents that identifies the most important psychosocial factors in promoting a successful adaptation to illness, this intervention addresses previous gaps in psychoeducational programs. Its focus on emotional regulation, self-concept, and social relationships provides a theoretically consistent framework that could serve as a model for other chronic illness interventions.

Background/Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) during adolescence increases the risk of psychosocial difficulties. To address these challenges, the 10VIDA program was developed to support psychological adjustment, treatment adherence, and quality of life. This study examined socioemotional factors linked to chronic illness adjustment and psychological well-being in adolescents with T1DM, assessing the impact of the 10VIDA intervention. Methods: Adolescents with T1DM participated in two studies: (1) an inter-group design with experimental and control groups assessed pre- and post-intervention, and (2) an intra-subject longitudinal design with three assessments (two pre-intervention and one post-intervention). All participants completed the 10VIDA intervention delivered online through seven sessions: five targeted adolescents with T1DM, while two included primary caregivers. The program’s main objective was to enhance well-being and quality of life. Results: Girls reported higher anxiety and depression, while boys showed greater self-esteem and emotional well-being. The experimental group experienced significant reductions in discomfort, anxiety, depression, and perceived illness threat, alongside improvements in self-esteem and psychological well-being. Intra-subject analysis also revealed increased well-being and decreased discomfort after intervention. Conclusions: The 10VIDA program effectively addressed socioemotional challenges in adolescents with T1DM and reshaping illness perception. These findings underscore the importance of integrated psychological support to improve adjustment and quality of life in chronic illness during adolescence.