Young people's experiences of living with type 1 diabetes

Scholes, Cheryl
Mandleco, Barbara
Roper, Susanne
Dearing, Karen
Dyches, Tina
Freeborn, Donna

Cheryl Scholes is a family nurse practitioner; Barbara Mandleco is professor emerita; Susanne Roper is associate professor and associate dean; Karen Dearing is associate professor; Tina Dyches is associate professor and graduate coordinator; and Donna Freeborn is assistant professor; all at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States.

•This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 109(45):p 23-25, November 13, 2013.

Abstract

Young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus face a unique set of challenges: their own and their family's perspectives of the disease and treatment impact on how well they manage metabolic control. Hormonal changes, desire for autonomy and emotional distress can influence self-management. This study aimed to better understand the perspective of young people with diabetes and to find out whether metabolic rate affects how individuals' view the disease and treatment. The findings are used to make suggestions for treatment approaches.