Living With Diabetes: Perceived Barriers of Adolescents

Abstract

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease during infancy and adolescence. Diabetes causes serious coping problems during adolescence because of the need for continuous observation and because of diabetes-related complications. Thus, adolescents must adapt to and effectively manage their diabetes. Purpose This study was designed to determine the perceived barriers to home care in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes using the Health Promotion Model. Methods Eighteen adolescents were selected from the qualified patients who applied to a diabetes polyclinic at a training and research hospital in western Turkey. Interview questions were created based on the Health Promotion Model. A phenomenological analysis of the data was conducted using the content analysis method. Results The barriers that participants identified as negatively impacting their ability to manage their disease effectively were categorized into the three themes of "negative feelings about having diabetes," "personal barriers," and "environmental barriers." The barriers identified included school, friends, family, fear of complications, lack of information, and personal characteristics, among others.