Work

Improved self‐management of type 1 diabetes in young women: Experiences of Guided Self‐Determination‐Young: A qualitative interview study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: Young women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have higher risks of diabetes complications and report higher diabetes distress and lower quality of life than men with T1D. Their experiences of self-management and need for support have received little attention, and targeted interventions are lacking. The aim of this qualitative interview study was to explore the experiences of young women with T1D after participating in an intervention with the person-centred reflection and problem-solving model Guided Self-Determination-Young (GSD-Y), with a focus on self-management and support in daily diabetes care. METHODS: A qualitative interview study was performed in a paediatric and an adult diabetes outpatient clinic in Sweden. After participating in an intervention with GSD-Y, 12 women (15-20 years) with T1D were selected and interviewed individually. The interviews were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed an overarching theme: 'A person-centred approach facilitated deeper reflection on both an individual and a relational level', and two main categories: 'The process initiated within the individual', and 'The process initiated together with the health care provider'. The women experienced increased knowledge of, and increased ability to manage diabetes. They also experienced a new type of relationship with the health care provider, including exchange of in-depth information beyond glucose levels, which appeared to increase their ability to receive support. CONCLUSIONS: The GSD-Y model provided tools to explore and clarify the individual needs of young women with T1D, which supported diabetes self-management. Person-centred care was enabled when the women became engaged as active partners in diabetes health care.

Source: Diabetic Medicine

DOI: 10.1111/dme.70029