Authors: Heidi Blaylock, Carter Leuba, Eddie Hill, Christina Aguilar, Carla Cox, Aiden Hill
Mentors: Eddie Hill
Insitution: Weber State University
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that influences all health aspects. The self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that three psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness are necessary for motivation to engage in healthy behaviors. Through medical specialty camps, these needs can be met by educating campers on how to manage T1D and realize they are not alone. The volunteer-based, five-day, inaugural REACH teen/tween camp for youth with T1D was held at WSU. Camp activities were engineered around the three basic needs described by the SDT. These needs were promoted by physical and educational activities, and meeting friends. A pre and post evaluation was given. Two measures were significant with autonomy being the greatest, (M=3.93, SD= .75) to post test (M=4.49, SD= .56), with t(25) = -6.258, p= <.001), effect size r = 1.2 Blood glucose levels were collected through an online platform that allowed staff to monitor campers’ levels. The week's average blood glucose level was 152 mg/dL. This study explored the use of SDT to examine the effectiveness of a diabetes camp for youth and hopefully result in better physical and emotional health thus mitigating the risk of complications.