Perceived peer support and diabetes management from adolescence into early emerging adulthood.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine longitudinal associations of perceived diabetes-specific peer support with adherence and glycemic control among late adolescents with type 1 diabetes as they transition out of high school and into early emerging adulthood. Methods: As part of a larger study, 211 high school seniors with type 1 diabetes completed confidential online surveys and were reassessed one year later. Perceived diabetes-specific peer support and adherence were assessed in each survey. Glycemic control was measured with HbA1c assay kits. Results: Perceived diabetes-specific peer support in high school predicted better adherence across the subsequent year, while controlling for initial levels of adherence. Perceived peer support during early emerging adulthood was also associated with better adherence across time, after controlling for initial levels of both adherence and peer support. Conclusions: Perceived diabetes-specific peer support may be a protective factor as late adolescents with type 1 diabetes transition out of high school. Building strong peer support during the transition into early emerging adulthood may facilitate better diabetes management during this high-risk time of development.

Modelling individual, parental and peer factors to glycaemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A prospective study

“…More baseline negative attribution of peer reactions directly affected poorer 3-month self-management. This finding was consistent with a longitudinal study that found perceived less baseline peer support predicted poorer self-management 1 year later in American adolescents with T1D (Pihlaskari, Wiebe, Troxel, Stewart, & Berg, 2018). Baseline attribution of peer reactions did not directly affect 6-month HbA1c levels in this study.…”

Qualitative analysis of helpful and unhelpful aspects of social relationships among young adults with type 1 diabetes

“…Our findings are consistent with previous reports that receiving diabetes-specific support, including emotional support and reminders, was helpful for young adults during the transition to college. 10,14,15 Our reports indicate the continuing need to balance T A B L E 4 Sample quotes and reference counts for information disclosed to helpful and hindering people in the past week…”

“…The literature on social support for young adults with diabetes is inconsistent, with some research showing friends and romantic partners are helpful but other research suggesting they are not helpful and may even undermine diabetes management 7–9 . However, some evidence suggests that when friends are aware of the young adult's diabetes and know what to do in emergencies, self‐management is improved 10 …”

“…[7][8][9] However, some evidence suggests that when friends are aware of the young adult's diabetes and know what to do in emergencies, self-management is improved. 10 Although some research has focused on the role of parent and friend involvement for diabetes management during young adulthood, little is known about how young adults utilize their social systems to aid diabetes management in the face of transitioning social contexts that often involve individuals who may be unfamiliar with diabetes. 4,5,11,12 Correspondingly, it is important to identify what behaviours young adults find helpful or unhelpful to their management and how to elicit this support when needed.…”

“They Think It’s Helpful, but It’s Not”: a Qualitative Analysis of the Experience of Social Support Provided by Peers in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

“…Several studies have found no association between diabetes-specific support from peers and self-care [33,[45][46][47], whilst others have found evidence for a relationship. Of these, diabetes-specific support is predictive of improved adherence [48,49], disease adaptation, and well-being [50]. However, not all studies showed a positive outcome.…”