IDF21-0189 The lived experiences of resilience in adolescents living with type 1 diabetes: A hermeneutic phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Deteriorating diabetes management and control are common among adolescents with type 1 diabetes, while some resilient youth do remarkably well. Contemporary diabetes care practice primarily focuses on risk factors for poor diabetes outcomes, and working with resilience has not generally been a consideration. Aim: This qualitative study was conducted to explore the phenomenon of resilience in the lives of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Method: A hermeneutical phenomenological study was carried out. A total of 15 adolescents with type 1 diabetes were recruited purposefully from the outpatient and inpatient in the Endocrinology departments of a Public Hospital and a Children’s Hospital. Sampling lasted from 2019 to 2021 and continued until new themes were no longer emerging. Information was gathered through in-depth individual interviews which were tape-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Benner’s thematic analysis method was used for data analysis. Results: The following themes were identified: “Resistance to type 1 diabetes”, “maintain a normal life”, and “gain hope and strength”. The three theme formed three stages: preparatory resilience, resilience process and resilience outcomes. The presence of diabetes related stressors were necessary prerequisites for the generation of resilience. Discussion: To create and promote adolescents’ resilience, Healthcare works should encourage disease comprehension and provide high-quality care to support adolescents’ inner resilience.