Patient perspectives on peer support for adults with type 1 diabetes: a need for diabetes-specific social capital

Abstract

AimTo explore the function of peer support from the perspective of adults with type 1 diabetes in Denmark.MethodsThe study population consisted of 20 adults with type 1 diabetes. The sample was diverse in relation to educational background, age, sex, and cohabitation status. Inspired by action research, several methods and perspectives on peer support were explored and tested. Workshops and group and individual interviews were performed. Systematic text condensation was used to analyze data, supplemented with theory-based interpretive analysis.ResultsAdults with type 1 diabetes found peer support highly relevant to reduce a burdensome feeling of diabetes-specific loneliness. Peer support showed potential to create diabetes-specific social capital not only by creating reciprocal social support between peers but also, more importantly, by creating space for genuine trust and a feeling of communality. There was a widespread feeling of the pervasive impact of diabetes on daily life and thus the relevance of discussing all aspects of life. However, participants perceived peer support as particularly relevant in relation to big changes in life, for example, in family life, at work, or through treatment events such as getting an insulin pump.ConclusionPeer support programs focusing on creating and establishing diabetes-specific social capital using participatory approaches seem highly relevant among adults with type 1 diabetes. Content, methods, and effects of peer support need further exploration in collaboration with adults with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes and COVID‐19: psychosocial consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic in people with diabetes in Denmark—what characterizes people with high levels of COVID‐19‐related worries?

“…People feeling alone with or having no one to talk to about their diabetes were more than twice as likely to worry about COVID-19. Qualitative studies show that people with diabetes under usual conditions experience a burden of feeling lonely with their diabetes [26]. The present study showed that 33% often or sometimes felt alone with their diabetes, while 23% felt that they often or sometimes missed someone to talk to about diabetes.…”

“…Even under normal circumstances, it is often not possible for people with diabetes to get access to emotional support, but in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic this might be even more important [28]. Peer support, social media and telephone support may be part of the solution [26,29,30].…”

Isolated thoughts and feelings and unsolved concerns: adolescents’ and parents’ perspectives on living with type 1 diabetes – a qualitative study using visual storytelling

“…Peer support may be the way to help the parties create a ‘new normal’ life living with diabetes such as identified in adult care (Joensen et al . ). However, parental groups with focus on how to provide autonomy support may also be a novel initiative, taking previous studies’ recommendations into account (Viklund & Wikblad , Husted et al .…”

The effect of peer support in adults with insulin pump-treated type 1 diabetes: a pilot study of a flexible and participatory intervention

“… 14 Participatory methods, such as dialogue tools, provided a useful framework for creating diabetes-specific social capital among adults with type 1 diabetes. 15 …”