JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Beyond physical health, managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) also encompasses a psychological component, including diabetes distress, i.e., the worries, fears, and frustrations associated with meeting self-care demands over the lifetime. While digital health models have been increasingly utilized to address emotional health in diabetes, these solutions may not uniformly meet the unique concerns and technological savvy across all age groups.

Objective:

This study explored the mental health needs of adolescents with T1D, determined their preferred modalities for virtual mental health support, and identified desirable design features for peer-delivered mental health support modelled on an app designed for adults with T1D.

Methods:

A semi-structured qualitative focus group study was conducted with adolescents with T1D and parents of adolescents with T1D. Data were collected through pre-focus group surveys, including socio-demographic background, diabetes status, healthcare experiences, and focus group sessions, including their opinions on peer support and technology. A thematic analysis following an inductive and iterative process was performed to develop themes and sub-themes from the collected information.

Results:

Focus group participants included ten adolescents (16 ±1 years, 80% female) and ten parents (51 ±7 years, 90% female). Four core themes emerged: 1) Experience: Navigating adolescence with T1D; 2) Empowerment: Support systems that enabled better management of their T1D; 3) Obstacles: Societal barriers that affect adolescents’ T1D management; and 4) Innovation: Adolescent-driven preferences for virtual peer support platforms.

Conclusions:

Virtual peer support offers a promising avenue for addressing the mental health needs of adolescents with T1D. Understanding the unique support needs of these adolescents and using this information to suggest design considerations for a mental health peer support app is an important step toward addressing their complex emotional and social challenges.