“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

Abstract

BackgroundAdherence in type 1 diabetes has previously been found to be improved with effective social support. However, research has so far been unable to elucidate the effect of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, with studies concluding they may be both positively and negatively related to self-care and glycaemic control. The present study explores the experience of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes using a qualitative methodology to address this lack of consensus in the literature, using the research question: "what is the meaning and experience of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes?" MethodsSemi-structured interviews using the Diabetes Social Support Interview schedule were employed. Twelve participants aged 15-18 were recruited from paediatric outpatient services. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsTwo overarching themes were noted within transcripts; A Sense of Normality and "They Think It's Helpful, But It's Not". Overall, participants reported a desire for global support from peers, and explored how and why diabetes-specific support behaviours were more likely to be interpreted as harassing. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that diabetes-specific support may not always be advantageous in aiding adolescents to reach and maintain optimal self-care. In 2 addition, participants emphasise the acceptability of advice provided by peers with type 1 diabetes, making peer support and mentoring programmes an excellent candidate for future research.

Diabetes-specific friend support in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes: Does satisfaction with support matter?

“…We did find evidence, however, that receiving diabetes-specific friend support was associated with higher diabetes-specific distress, especially for youth who were not satisfied with friend support. A recent qualitative study suggested that some youth view diabetes-specific friend support as intrusive and annoying rather than helpful (Mattacola, 2020). Our results extend these qualitative findings by suggesting that the receipt of unsatisfying diabetes-specific support is possibly harmful for diabetes-specific well-being.…”

“…A substantial portion of the T1D literature on peers is about diabetes-specific friend support, which is support from friends revolving around diabetes self-care (Mattacola, 2020;Van Vleet & Helgeson, 2020). However, findings are inconsistent as to whether self-care actually benefits from such diabetes-specific friend support.…”

“…Inadequate or unhelpful support may hinder good diabetes management (Van Vleet & Helgeson, 2020). Finally, a recent qualitative study suggested that some youth with T1D dislike diabetes-specific friend support because they perceive it as intrusive (Mattacola, 2020). In sum, for youth who are not satisfied with the diabetes-specific support they receive from friends, this support may discourage, rather than encourage, self-care and can be associated with higher HbA1c levels and higher levels of depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress.…”

Peer Mentoring as an Avenue to Explore in Kidney Transplantation: Kidney Transplant Recipients’ Perspectives on Peer Mentoring

“…Peer mentoring involves pairing mentees with individuals who have had similar experiences to provide training, information, and emotional support. 10 Peer mentoring could improve patients’ management of chronic conditions, and its use has been reported for conditions such as spinal cord injury, 10 diabetes, 11 , 12 mental health, 13 , 14 and breastfeeding. 15 Peer mentoring has been found to improve patient empowerment 10 by enhancing autonomy, self-efficacy, and self-management skills.…”

Information needs on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and its management in children and adolescents: a qualitative study

“…Moreover, some parents expressed the benefits of peer support groups to supplement the necessary information for children with T1DM. Implementation of peer education can improve self-care behaviours and HbA1c in adolescents 42 43. Two children in this study enquired about new T1DM therapies, including the availability of advanced treatment that can replace the lifelong use of insulin injections.…”