Background:

Resilience is predicted by protective factors rather than the absence of vulnerability factors.

Objetives:

Determine the relationships between protective factors and vulnerability factors in adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus, type 1; identify the predictive factors of resilience.

Method:

Participated in correlational and cross-sectional study 112 adolescents from 13 to 18 years, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, for over a year, from five hospitals. The instruments used were the following scales: Resilience, Stressful Life Events (AVS), Toulousian Coping (ETC) and Locus of Control in Health (ELCS). Data collection took place between July 2014 and June 2015. The recommended ethical procedures were ensured

Results:

The results showed positive, strong and very strong correlations between: the Resilience scale and the Social Support and ETC Control subscales; AVS (Global and Impact) and Withdrawal, Conversion and Additivity (RCA); and ELCS values and Social Support. In turn, there were weak negative correlations between: AVS (Global and Impact), Resilience and the Control subscale; and the AVS (Global) and the Refusal subscale. The linear regression showed as predictors of resilience variables: Control; RCA; Social Support; Refusal; and AVS, Impact.

Conclusions:

The most resilient teenagers experienced fewer AVS and minor emotional impact and vice versa. They used more positive coping strategies. The RCA, the refusal and the AVS Impact are negative predictors of resilience and the Control and Social Support positive predictors. Control is the variable with the greatest predictive power of resilience.

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