Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 16 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 201-207
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260721
Study on Behavioural and Emotional Disorders in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study
Manjunath Channappanavar1, Ravichandra Kothur Rangegowda2, Lakshmi M3, Chikkanarasareddy PS4
1Junior Resident, 2Assistant Professor, 3Professor and HOD, 4Professor, Department of Paediatrics,
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore-560002, Karnataka, India.
Corresponding Author: Ravichandra Kothur Rangegowda
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
1. To assess the profile of behavioural and emotional disorders in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
2. To evaluate the association between behavioural and emotional disorders and glycaemic control as measured by HbA1c levels.
Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Vanivilas Hospital, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru, from March 2024 to August 2025. Forty children aged 2–17 years with confirmed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were enrolled using consecutive sampling after obtaining informed consent. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured case record form. Behavioural and emotional problems were assessed using the parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Glycaemic control was evaluated using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and categorised as good (<7.5%) or fair/poor (≥7.5%). Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were summarised as frequencies and percentages. Associations between behavioural and emotional disorders and glycaemic control were analysed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:Children with poor glycaemic control demonstrated significantly higher behavioural and emotional difficulties compared to those with good control. Elevated HbA1c levels were associated with increased SDQ total difficulty scores, particularly in emotional and peer problem domains (p < 0.05). Assessment using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) showed a mean total difficulties score of 16.07 ± 7.45. Behavioural or emotional disorder was identified in 55.0% of participants, with psychiatry referral recommended for the same proportion. No significant association was found between behavioural/emotional disorder and sociodemographic variables, dietary compliance, or disease duration (p > 0.05). However, behavioural/emotional disorder was strongly associated with poor glycaemic control, being present in 78.6% of children with fair-to-poor glycaemic control and in none with good control (χ² = 17.898, p < 0.001). Children with behavioural/emotional disorder had significantly higher random blood glucose levels (263.57 ± 52.40 vs. 183.61 ± 41.56 mg/dL), HbA1c (10.07 ± 1.15% vs. 7.18 ± 0.62%), and SDQ total difficulties scores (22.14 ± 3.06 vs. 8.67 ± 3.18) than those without behavioural/emotional disorder (all p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Behavioural and emotional disorders are highly prevalent among children with T1DM and are significantly associated with poor glycaemic control. Routine psychological screening using tools such as the SDQ should be incorporated into pediatric diabetes care. Early identification and timely psychosocial interventions may improve both mental health outcomes and metabolic control.
Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; behavioural disorders; emotional disorders; HbA1c; glycaemic control