‘It’s life threatening, it’s not life limiting but it’s life threatening’ – Dyadic framework analysis of adolescent and parent adjustment to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis

TL;DR

This study explores how adolescents and their parents adjust to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, highlighting shared challenges and coping strategies.

Contribution

The study introduces a systemic, dyadic framework to analyze adjustment processes in type 1 diabetes management.

Findings

Adjustment involves a 'Never-Ending Abyss of Management' and 'Diabetes Integration' themes.

Subthemes include food restrictions, evolving family bonds, and technology easing diabetes burden.

Dyads showed congruence in most themes, indicating shared experiences and coping strategies.

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes-management can be considered an adolescent-parent collaboration. Given particular adolescent adherence challenges, it is integral that adolescent-parent dyadic relationships are investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore dyads’ adjustment to type 1 diabetes, while examining the congruence/dissimilarity within these dyads. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 dyads (20 individuals) separately. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with thematic analysis using a dyadic framework method. Findings suggested complex experiences of adjustment among parents and adolescents which reflect two main themes – Never-Ending Abyss of Management and Diabetes Integration, with three subthemes – A Life of Food Restrictions, Evolving Familial Bonds and Technology as easing the burden of Diabetes. Dyadic analyses revealed dyadic congruence across most themes. This study adds to the adjustment literature by providing a systemic perspective rarely presented in prior paediatric research.

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