Positive facilitators of diabetes management in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes—A qualitative analysis of blogs

Abstract

Introduction Emerging adults (18‐30 years) with type 1 diabetes must manage a demanding chronic illness as well as navigate a life phase full of instability and transitions. Clinical care for this age group remains a challenge. An improved understanding of psychological facilitators of diabetes management may contribute to optimized clinical care to this age group. Aim To explore which individual strategies facilitated emerging adults’ diabetes management and what kind of support they regard helpful from peers, family and healthcare providers. Methods Qualitative analysis of web blogs. We identified personal blogs by emerging adults with type 1 diabetes through a search at the websites for diabetes associations in Denmark, UK and the USA, a snowball search at identified blogs and an internet search (Google). Blog posts from approximately the last year were analysed with thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke. Results We included 16 blogs from UK, the USA, Australia and Denmark, focusing on blog entries from 2017 to 2018. Several psychological facilitators of management of type 1 diabetes were identified. Positive individual strategies involved: developing a balanced approach to blood glucoses, sharing diabetes with peers and making space for emotional reactions. Supportive involvement from peers, family and health care providers included: normalization, emotional backup and a nonjudgmental attitude. Conclusion Diabetes management in emerging adulthood can be facilitated by several individual strategies as well as by supportive involvement from peers, family and health care providers. It is worthwhile to further investigate how individual strategies as well as supportive involvement can be promoted in diabetes care.

What nursing interventions and healthcare practices facilitate type 1 diabetes self-management in young adults? An integrative review.

“…Young adults value connecting with their diabetes service teams and being partners in their care planning and delivery (Ramchandani et al, 2019). Other studies corroborated this collaborative approach, identifying that young adult wanted supportive, individualised, and non-judgmental relationships with their healthcare providers (Agarwal et al, 2017;Davis & MacKay, 2020;Johansen et al, 2020). Providers' communication skills play a vital role.…”

“…Building rapport and establishing therapeutic relationships are especially important when faced with a young adult's acute complications such as hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (Farrell et al, 2019). There was consensus that diabetes service providers must be sensitive, realistic, and treat young adults with a Nursing Praxis in Aotearoa New Zealand 2022 Vol 38(2) July person-centred approach, rather than a biomedical focus on their blood glucose readings (Johansen et al, 2020;Ramchandani et al, 2019;Sanders et al, 2018).…”

Competing Demands of Young Adulthood and Diabetes: A Discussion of Major Life Changes and Strategies for Health Care Providers to Promote Successful Balance

“…It has been suggested that gaps in care may be related to HCPs' failure to meet the perceived needs and preferences of YA patients (82), particularly the need to consider the emotional impact of diabetes. Multiple studies have suggested that YAs seek HCPs who have an engaging and approachable interaction style, understand the emotional burden of diabetes, and collaborate with them to negotiate diabetes care routines and goals (4,(83)(84)(85). YAs who perceive a lack of HCP support for their emotional needs are more likely to be dissatisfied with their care and experience negative emotions (86).…”

Workplace Experiences of Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Social-Ecological Perspective

“…Increased instability during emerging adulthood may lead young adults to change employers involuntarily or voluntarily as they search for a supportive community (Arnett et al, 2014). This effect may be enhanced for those with T1D as this instability may impact their diabetesrelated health and mental well-being (Arnett et al, 2014;Johansen et al, 2020).…”

“…Others suggest that work-related diabetes distress affects both the ability to work and T1D management (Hansen et al, 2018). In a study of emerging adults with T1D, Johansen et al (2020) found that sharing diabetes with peers, and receiving support from them was reported to be helpful with T1D management. At the same time, many with T1D decide not to disclose their diagnosis to colleagues and managers (Hakkarainen et al, 2017).…”