Abstract
Objective: Limited research is available examining community-based social support programs (SSPs) for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The purpose of this study was to describe SSPs characteristics and the perceived benefits and barriers to attendance from the perspective of SSPs leaders. Research Design and Methods: This study used a qualitative study design. In-depth interviews were conducted with SSPs leaders (n = 9) in the Washington D.C. metro area. Individuals were recruited from community- and college-based programs. Using content analysis, interviews were analyzed for key themes. Results: Programs served different populations, leading to different discussion such as college-based groups discussing alcohol use while community-based groups discussing issues with their child’s diabetes. SSPs leaders described informational support, emotional support, and peer networking as benefits of program attendance while logistics, stigma, and avoidance of diabetes as barriers to program attendance. Conclusions : Exploring the characteristics of SSPs is essential to understanding their utilization and role in self-management and empowering individuals with T1DM. SSPs offer many benefits, and SSP attendance should be encouraged.
Highlights
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an incurable disease affecting over one million individuals in the United States
Exploring the characteristics of SSPs is essential to understanding their utilization and role in self-management and empowering individuals with T1D
One was living with T1D, another was a certified diabetes educator working in a diabetes clinic, and the remaining four were parents of children living with T1D
Summary
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an incurable disease affecting over one million individuals in the United States. In part caused by the burden of self-management activities and the emotional toll of living with diabetes, has been identified as a major detriment to the lives of individuals living with diabetes and is associated with numerous psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral difficulties [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Given that many individuals living with T1D are diagnosed as children, they will face a unique set of challenges when they transition to independent living [10,11,12]. To overcome these difficulties and barriers, providing appropriate support is crucial for young adults living with diabetes
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