Diabetes-Related Worries and Coping Among Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Lindsay Taraban, Rachel Wasserman, Viena T. Cao, Sahar S. Eshtehardi, Barbara J. Anderson, Debbe Thompson, David G. Marrero, Marisa E. Hilliard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Although mood and anxiety symptoms are common in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), little research has described their worries across developmental stages or the strategies they use to cope with these worries. This secondary data analysis aimed to describe and characterize common T1D-related worries and coping strategies from middle childhood through young adulthood. Methods: Twenty-three youth (9 children, 7 adolescents, and 7 young adults) completed semistructured qualitative interviews about health-related quality of life. We coded interview transcripts using thematic analysis to generate common themes of diabetes-related worries and coping strategies. Results: Participants' worries fell into four major themes: Managing Blood Glucose, Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Management, Interpersonal Relationships, and Lifestyle Impact, and eight youth denied having diabetes-related worries. Coping strategies fell into the three major themes: Attempts to Change Source of Worry, Attempts to Change Reactions to Worry, and Attempts to Orient Away from the Worry. Conclusions: Youths' worries about various aspects of living with and feeling able to self-manage diabetes are important to consider across pediatric development as they can impact youths' participation in daily activities and future plans. By adolescence, youth report longer-term worries about the health and lifestyle implications of diabetes. Youths' reported coping strategies are generally consistent with existing coping frameworks, though our data suggest some possible refinements. Social support emerged as an important coping strategy for all age groups. Thus, interventions supporting youth in building and strengthening their social networks may be particularly beneficial in helping youth cope with their diabetes-related worries across development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1145-1155
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of pediatric psychology
Volume47
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • coping
  • pediatrics
  • qualitative research
  • type 1 diabetes
  • worries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diabetes-Related Worries and Coping Among Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this