Chores Participation, Self-Efficacy, and Transition Readiness in Youths With Diabetes: Preliminary Results

This study investigated the relationship of chores participation, diabetes management self-efficacy and transition readiness among adolescents with diabetes. Fifty-four youths participated (average age 13.5 years). The CHORES survey evaluated chore participation, the STARx questionnaire assessed health care transition readiness, and the Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS) assessed self-efficacy. Results showed that involvement in chores was positively correlated with transition readiness scores (<i>r</i> = .404, <i>p</i> < .05) and important subdomains of transition, namely self-management and provider communication. Mediation analysis found that self-efficacy significantly influenced the link between chores and transition readiness. This suggests that when adolescents assume more household responsibilities, they may develop greater confidence in managing their diabetes, which in turn enhances their readiness for the health care transition. Encouraging chores participation can improve transition readiness directly and indirectly, through self-efficacy. Understanding these mechanisms is key in designing patient education programs, or psychosocial interventions to support transition. Implications for health care providers and parents are discussed.