Adolescents' experiences with newly discovered type 1 diabetes A qualitative study

Background: Chronic illnesses such as diabetes places challenging demands on young people which often can affect the follow-up of treatment. Aim: To gain knowledge about adolescents' early experiences of getting diabetes 1 and their everyday life and quality of life after diagnosis. Method: Semi-structured interviews of eight adolescents with newly discovered diabetes, analysed with content analysis. Findings: Four main themes emerged: The first is the start of life with diabetes where the adolescents describe their experiences with the diagnosis and meetings with health professionals. The second is a necessary and challenging relationship which deals with experiences with their parents' role and own role. The third is the outside world and self-image based on how they look at themselves, e.g. through how they tell others about the disease. And the fourth is the new everyday life where they describe how the disease may impact on daily life and quality of life. Conclusion: Adapting to diabetes is experienced as a process. Health professionals can contribute by supporting young people's positive experiences, which can strengthen the motivation for a satisfactory diabetes treatment, at the same time as it can help maintain a positive self-image and promote the quality of life of the adolescents.