A brief self‐compassion intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating: a feasibility study

Abstract

Aim To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a brief self-compassion intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating behaviour. Methods Twenty-seven adolescents with type 1 diabetes were recruited and randomized to receive the brief (two 2.5-h sessions) self-compassion intervention, either in the intervention group (n=11) or in a waitlist control group (n=8). The intervention was adapted from the standardized eight-session 'Making Friends with Yourself' programme, and sessions were delivered 1 week apart. Acceptability was assessed through qualitative questionnaires and feasibility was assessed based on session attendance and recruitment metrics. Possible changes to disordered eating behaviour, self-care behaviours, diabetes-related distress, self-compassion, stress and glycaemic control were also assessed. Results Nineteen participants completed the study, and they reported an increased sense of common humanity (acknowledging that we are not alone), mindfulness, and coping resources. In terms of feasibility, recruitment took longer than expected (8 months) and not all participants were able to attend both sessions (nine could only attend one of the two sessions). Conclusions While self-compassion is a strong conceptual fit for the issues of type 1 diabetes and disordered eating behaviour in adolescence, and the intervention content appears acceptable, feasibility issues were such that brief selfcompassion programmes will probably need to be adapted into digital interventions for future research. (Trial registration number: ANZCTR 12619000541101).

The role of protective psychological factors, self‐care behaviors, and HbA1c in young adults with type 1 diabetes

“…Out of the protective psychological variables explored in the current study, self‐compassion may offer the best conceptual fit for the struggles that youth with diabetes must overcome on a daily basis 34 . Despite the burgeoning research exploring self‐compassion and health outcomes, 74,75 only a handful of studies have examined self‐compassion in the context of diabetes.…”

“…Growing evidence suggests an association between protective psychological factors and improved health outcomes in diabetes 16,86 and that interventions based on increasing protective psychological factors are both acceptable 34 and effective in improving wellbeing and stabilizing or decreasing HbA1c 27,32 in youth and adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is important that interventions to improve self‐care and HbA1c among young adults and youth with diabetes are prioritized and continue to include promotion of and support toward building positive psychological wellbeing.…”

“…Increasingly psychosocial interventions are targeting these protective psychological factors in order to improve psychological and health outcomes in adolescents as well as adults with diabetes. Examples include increasing adaptive coping skills in adolescents with diabetes, 30,31 increasing gratitude, optimism and other positive psychology traits in adolescents with diabetes, 32,33 and through increasing self‐compassion in adolescents and adults with diabetes 27,34 . These types of interventions are also prevalent in general adolescent and young adult populations, where protective psychological factors such as self‐compassion 35,36 and gratitude, 37 positive rumination and combinations of many protective psychological factors 38 have shown to contribute to greater wellbeing, resilience and self‐efficacy.…”

Exploring the views of adolescents with type 1 diabetes on digital mental health interventions: What functionality and content do they want?

“…This qualitative study used focus groups, analysed using directed content analysis, to evaluate adolescents with T1D perceptions of different digital mental health platforms. The study was conducted as follow‐up research from a prior study investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a group‐based brief self‐compassion intervention 16 . A focus group format was chosen to allow an encouraging and free‐flowing group discussion atmosphere, especially for adolescents who may be reluctant to voice opinions in one‐to‐one formats 17 .…”

“…The current qualitative study was conducted as a follow‐up from a previous feasibility trial 16 to explore perceptions of a preferred digital adaption. Thirty‐two participants who consented for the feasibility trial were invited to participate in the current follow‐up focus groups via email to reconsent/assent, on a first‐in‐first‐serve basis.…”