Maternal Experiences of Transitioning Their Emerging Adult With Type 1 Diabetes to College

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding about mothers' experiences of transitioning their emerging adult with type 1 diabetes mellitus to college. Methods A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted with 9 mothers of high school seniors with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) using semi-structured questions via recorded telephone interviews. Results Among the 9 participants, 8 had daughters, and 1 had a son. The thematic analysis resulted in 4 themes: (1) concern for health and safety at college, (2) evolving roles of the parent and emerging adult dyad, (3) communication dynamics, and (4) social support systems. Conclusions Results indicate that mothers of emerging adults with T1DM experience heightened levels of concern during the college transition. These concerns are above and beyond those that are experienced by mothers of emerging adults without T1DM. Findings indicated that increasing levels of support for both parents as well as emerging adults with T1DM during the college transition may serve to decrease maternal stress and enhance the development of preparedness for diabetes self-management. Recommendations for diabetes educators in clinical practice include a family-centered approach focusing on the transition before the late adolescent period, interventions from colleges to promote a smooth transition, and interventions that address concerns of both the emerging adult with T1DM and the parent. Further research is necessary to identify barriers and facilitators to support parent/emerging adult dyads during the college transition period.

Expect the unexpected: Adolescent and pre‐teens' experience of diabetes technology self‐management

“…Hybrid closed loop systems have been shown to be especially effective in improving control in the overnight hours 28,29 and may decrease overnight parental burden in the future 30 . The degree to which youth in the study relied on parental intervention and surveillance overnight also speaks to the difficulty experienced by youth as they transition to young adulthood 31 …”

“…30 The degree to which youth in the study relied on parental intervention and surveillance overnight also speaks to the difficulty experienced by youth as they transition to young adulthood. 31 Other studies have examined the distribution of self-management and transition in diabetes management from parent to youth. 29,[32][33][34][35] Continued parental involvement throughout adolescence is associated with better glycemic control.…”

Design and Evaluation of a Pediatric Resident Health Care Transition Curriculum

“…In a study describing mothers' experiences of transitioning their youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Ness and colleagues revealed mothers' heightened concern during the college transition compared to families of youth without diabetes and concluded that increasing preparedness for diabetes self-management would serve to decrease mothers' stress. 7 In 2018, Lozano and Houtrow outlined models for supporting self-management among young adults, including processes to address modifiable influences at the individual, family, community, and health care system levels. 6 Gaps in self-management support, however, remain.…”

An eHealth Program for Parents of Adolescents With T1DM Improves Parenting Stress: A Randomized Control Trial

“…Parents report difficulty in relinquishing control of diabetes management and express feelings of considerable stress about their adolescent's health and safety. [7][8][9] Increased family conflict, poor self-management, and poor glycemic control often occur during adolescence. 10,11 Family-based educational programs for parents and youth with T1DM promoting parent-adolescent teamwork, family problem solving, communication, and family therapy have demonstrated improvements in family functioning and glycemic control.…”