Partner Perspectives on Life with a Person with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes affects all aspects of life for both the person with the disease and their loved ones. For partners, negotiating the caregiving role can be challenging.Objective: Partners of people with type 1 diabetes are positioned to provide crucial support for their significant other, but they may struggle with the caregiving role. The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges and needs of these partners. Research Design and Methods:In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 partners of people with type 1 diabetes. A semi-structured interview guide was used during the interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted using qualitative data management and analysis software. Results:The analysis of the interviews revealed that partners face numerous challenges in the caregiving of their partner. Partners reported struggling with: (1) emotional strain from fear and distress over diabetes symptoms and complications that results in caregiver burden; (2) determining how to avoid relationship conflict; and (3) knowing how to provide life sustaining care during diabetes medical emergencies.Conclusions: Partners of people with diabetes would benefit from diabetes education targeting emergency care and the psychosocial impacts of diabetes. This additional education could potentially ease the emotional strains of caregiving.

The Diabetes Mixer: Fostering a Diabetes Community to Support Peer Health

“…Support persons attending the Diabetes Mixer were most often romantic partners. There is increasing evidence that romantic partners of those with T1D require support independent of their loved one [38] and need education focused on the psychosocial impacts of diabetes to ease the emotional strains that can occur [39]. Overall, the Diabetes Mixer provides both support and education to the support person, who may then be able to better advocate for the person living with T1D.…”

The Role of School Nurse Presence in Parent and Student Perceptions of Helpfulness, Safety, and Satisfaction With Type 1 Diabetes Care

“…Students with T1D and their parents rely on school personnel to foster a supportive and safe environment by keeping abreast of state-of-the-art diabetes knowledge and implementing established diabetes standards, protocols, and practices. Parents of students with T1D face many challenges while navigating the educational system, of which safety is a priority concern (Johnson & Melton, 2014; Kise et al, 2017). In the United States, parents cite the following factors that contribute to safe T1D care in school: the presence of a school nurse, access to diabetes supplies and BGM, education of school nurses and school personnel, and accommodations for field trips and after-school activities (Driscoll et al, 2015; Jacquez et al, 2008; Johnson & Melton, 2014; Schwartz et al, 2010).…”

“…Parents of students with T1D face many challenges while navigating the educational system, of which safety is a priority concern (Johnson & Melton, 2014; Kise et al, 2017). In the United States, parents cite the following factors that contribute to safe T1D care in school: the presence of a school nurse, access to diabetes supplies and BGM, education of school nurses and school personnel, and accommodations for field trips and after-school activities (Driscoll et al, 2015; Jacquez et al, 2008; Johnson & Melton, 2014; Schwartz et al, 2010). Similarly, parents of students with T1D throughout Europe (Amillategui et al, 2007; Kime, 2014; Pinelli et al, 2011), Canada (Nurmi & Stieber-Roger, 2012), Taiwan (Lin et al, 2008), and Australia (Marks et al, 2014) echo parallel safety concerns, demonstrating that this is a worldwide concern.…”

“…Parents report that school nurse presence is important for safe and effective TID management in the school setting (Johnson & Melton, 2014; Kime, 2014; Marks et al, 2014; Skelley et al, 2013). The American Academy of Pediatrics (2016) recommends a minimum of one full-time school nurse in each building; likewise, NASN (2015) endorses using a multifaceted approach that includes care based on acuity and social determinants of health and a school nurse workload that affords students direct access to a school nurse.…”

What do parents believe are the causes of their Type 1 diabetic child's condition?

“…Parents' well-being is critical to the support they give as de facto managers of their children's diabetes (Eilander et al , 2017; Johnson and Melton, 2014). Understanding parents' explanatory models about diabetes may enable the heath promoter to tailor health education and to avoid unhelpful tension in therapeutic relationships where professional and lay explanations are at odds.…”