JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In-person support groups have been shown to be of benefit to adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by helping to decrease perceived diabetes burden and improving knowledge related to chronic disease management. However, barriers exist to participation in traditional support groups, including the timing and location of meetings, as well as resources needed to attend. Online support groups are increasingly being utilized by adolescents and additionally provide solutions to some of the challenges faced when implementing in-person support groups.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a hybrid support group model where traditional in-person support groups were augmented with Instagram participation between monthly support group sessions for adolescents with T1D.

Methods:

Participants (13-18 years old with T1D for ≥6 months) were asked to post photos each week for three months based on predetermined topics related to diabetes management. At the end of each month, participants attended an in-person support group to discuss their photos using the Photovoice method. Feasibility was assessed through enrollment and retention, number of Instagram posts, post-study questionnaire, and qualitative analysis of the focus groups.

Results:

Of 24 eligible participants, 16 enrolled (67%) with 3 dropping out prior to the end of the study. The number of photos posted over 3 months ranged from 14-41. Among the 11 participants who completed a follow-up questionnaire, the majority of participants reported that they very much enjoyed participating in the hybrid support group, and more than three-quarters of participants reported that they “related to the photos posted.” Over half of participants reported “learning something new from the photos posted,” which arose from the sharing of knowledge and experiences related to navigating the common challenges with diabetes management. Additionally, the use of Instagram posts helped facilitate peer discussion during the in-person support groups.

Conclusions:

The novel combination of using Instagram to augment traditional in-person support groups was feasible and acceptable to adolescents with T1D. The overall satisfaction with the hybrid support group model, combined with the observed engagement with peers between support group sessions over social media, suggests that a hybrid support group model may have the potential to provide more pronounced benefits to adolescents than in-person meetings alone. Future research should investigate the use of social media as part of the support group model and examine improvement of self-esteem, benefit-finding, and social support using validated tools in adolescents with diabetes.