Perceptions Related to Death in Adolescents and Their Parents During the Management of Type 1 Diabetes: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with an increased risk of premature death compared to those without T1D, yet perceptions of dying have not been well studied. The purpose of this secondary analysis of existing data was to explore the fears of adolescents with T1D and their parents related to the possibility of death due to T1D. A reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine data from interviews conducted with adolescents with T1D and their parents who participated in a primary grounded theory study of interdependence in T1D management. Three themes were generated from the data including: (1) Facing the Reality of Death, (2) Fearing Highs and Lows, and (3) Finding a Way through Fears. Participants indicated they see death as a consequence of failing to optimally manage T1D. Additional investigation is needed to explore the fear of death in adolescents with T1D and any fear their parents may have of their adolescents' mortality.