Experiencing type 2 diabetes mellitus: qualitative analysis of adolescents' concept of illness, adjustment, and motivation to engage in self-care behaviors. Diabetes Educ 2012;38(4):543-51
Date
05/09/2012Pubmed ID
22565410DOI
10.1177/0145721712445214Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84864002448 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 18 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in terms of how youths conceptualized the effect of T2DM on daily life, adjustment to the illness, and motivation related to diabetes self-care management. The aims of the study were to gather essential information in order to develop appropriate intervention techniques and inform future studies intended to understand the psychosocial experiences of youths with T2DM.
METHODS: Eight adolescents diagnosed with T2DM were recruited from an outpatient pediatric diabetes clinic at a Midwestern children's hospital. A qualitative interview was developed, which was scheduled to last about 30 to 45 minutes. Data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research methodology, wherein qualitative coders developed core ideas and themes related to the adolescent experience of T2DM.
RESULTS: Three main themes were identified, including how the youths conceptualized the impact of T2DM, adjustment to self-care, and motivation to perform self-care behaviors. Knowledge related to the cause of T2DM and adjustment to completing self-care behaviors was varied among youths. Few adolescents spoke about motivation sources, although when mentioned, it typically involved witnessing negative health consequences in family members or friends with T2DM.
CONCLUSIONS: The data represent essential initial information related to youths with T2DM, which will help guide in developing future studies designed to understand the psychosocial experiences of youths with T2DM and appropriate intervention techniques. Future research that aims to increase internal and external motivation may be able to subsequently impact adherence to self-care behaviors.
Author List
Salamon KS, Brouwer AM, Fox MM, Olson KA, Yelich-Koth SL, Fleischman KM, Hains AA, Davies WH, Kichler JCAuthor
W. Hobart Davies Professor & Chair in the Phychology department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescent Health Services
Attitude to Health
Child
Concept Formation
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Female
Humans
Male
Medication Adherence
Motivation
Qualitative Research
Self Care
Surveys and Questionnaires
