Journal of Health Psychology 2015, Vol. 20(5) 681–689 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1359105315573429 hpq.sagepub.com Introduction According to the American Diabetes Association (2008), there is a global consensus that optimiza- tion of glycemic control prevents or delays the onset of chronic complications of type 1 diabetes in adolescents. Over the years, the recommenda- tion to promote adequate glycemic control with the aim to prevent the chronic complications of diabetes has been reinforced (Chiang et al., 2014; Haas et al., 2013; Nathan, 2014). Despite recom- mendations and efforts, a large number of young patients continue to have inadequate glycemic control, and thus being exposed to the risk of complications. Due to physiological changes and a decline in adherence to treatment usually asso- ciated with psychosocial factors, adolescence is a challenging period for maintaining optimal gly- cemic control (Hamilton and Daneman, 2002). There are numerous research studies about the impact of psychological disorders on glycemic control. The focus of many of them is on depres- sion, which has been significantly associated with hyperglycemia, inadequate glycemic con- trol, higher rates of clinical complications, hospitalization, and increased health costs (Johnson et al., 2013; Stewart et al., 2005). Comorbid depression in patients with diabetes has also been shown to be significantly associated Hope matters to the glycemic control of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes Fábio RM Santos, Daniel Sigulem, Kelsy CN Areco, Monica AL Gabbay, Sergio A Dib and Viviane Bernardo Abstract This study investigated the association of hope and its factors with depression and glycemic control in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes. A total of 113 patients were invited to participate. Significant negative correlations were found between hope and HbA1c and also between hope and depression. Hope showed a significant association with HbA1c and depression in the stepwise regression model. Among the hope factors, “inner positive expectancy” was significantly associated with HbA1c and depression. This study supports that hope matters to glycemic control and depression. Intervention strategies focusing on hope should be further explored. Keywords adolescence, chronic illness, depression, diabetes, hope Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil Corresponding author: Fábio RM Santos, Department of Health Informatics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, CEP: 04023-062, São Paulo – SP, Brazil. Email: fabiomunhoz@hotmail.com 573429HPQ 0 0 10.1177/1359105315573429Journal of Health PsychologySantos et al. research-article 2015 Article at UNIV FEDERAL DE SAO PAULO on June 18, 2015 hpq.sagepub.com Downloaded from