Introduction

1. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Experiences: Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents’ Concept of Illness, Adjustment and Motivation to Engage in Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors Katherine S. Salamon, M.S. 1, Amanda M. Brouwer, M.S. 1, Kimberly A. Olson, M.S.1 , Michelle Fox, M.S. 1, Katie M. Fleischman, M.S. 1, Anthony A. Hains, Ph.D. 1, W. Hobart Davies, Ph.D. 1,2, & Jessica Kichler, Ph.D.3 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee1, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin,2 and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center3 Table 2: Adjustment Examples Introduction Results • The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has significantly increased over the last two decades, especially in youth. • It is estimated that the incidence of T2DM will increase by 4% by the year 2030. • These youth are also at increased risk for problems with psychosocial adjustment, greater body dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties. • Some interventions have reported positive findings in reducing the risk for T2DM • Research is needed to determine how to best design treatments for managing T2DM and improving adherence to self-care behaviors in youth. • Three main themes related to illness concept were identified: • Conceptualization of T2DM (Table 1): When youth described their perceived reasons for the • cause of their T2DM as well as family and friends’ beliefs of the cause for their T2DM. • Adjustment (Table 2): All youth described at least one situation where they needed to change • their lifestyle in terms of behavior change consistent with diabetes self-care behaviors, but also adjustment to the time it takes to do the required self-care behaviors. • Motivation (Table 3): Few adolescents spoke about their source of motivation, although when • mentioned, typical responses included witnessing negative health consequences in family members or friends with T2DM. Table 1: Conceptualization of T2DM Examples Aim • The aim of the study was to qualitatively explore the perspectives of youth diagnosed with • T2DM. Methods • Youth diagnosed with T2DM were recruited from an outpatient pediatric diabetes clinic at • a large, Midwestern children’s hospital. • Youth had the option to participate in the interview at the end of the diabetes clinic • appointment, to arrange another time to meet in the clinic for the interview, or to be interviewed over the phone. • All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. • Following completion of the interview, youth were mailed $20 gift cards to an electronics • store. Participant Demographics Table 3: Motivation Examples Measures • Demographic Information: including age, gender, ethnicity, and length of diagnosis was • collected via self-report during the interview. • A qualitative semi-structured interview was developed for the study derived for the • purpose of exploring experiences of adolescents with T2DM. • Data were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR; Hill et al., 1997) • methodology. • Trained qualitative coders developed core ideas and themes related to the adolescence • experience of T2DM revealed in the interviews. • Data were also quantified into prevalence ratings: • General (observed in 7 or 8 interviews) • Typical (observed in 5 or 6 interviews) • Variant (observed in 3 or 4 interviews) • Rare (observed in 2 or fewer interviews) Conclusions • The data represent essential initial information related to youth with T2DM. • Given the importance of adhering to diabetes self-care behaviors, the information gathered from • these youth may help guide the development of future studies designed to improve adherence and to understand the psychosocial experiences of youth with T2DM. • Empirically driven intervention techniques aimed at adherence are needed for this population due • to the unique challenges of T2DM in youth. • Future research that aims to increase internal and external motivation in these youth may be able to • subsequently impact adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors.