Self-management problem solving for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: intervention processes associated with an Internet program
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Shelagh A Mulvaney1, Russell L Rothman, Chandra Y Osborn
1School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. shelagh.mulvaney@vanderbilt.edu
Objective:
Describe intervention processes associated with an Internet self-management problem solving program for adolescents with type 1 diabetes, and relate participant characteristics to program use.
Methods:
Forty-one adolescents with type 1 diabetes, aged 13-17, participated in an Internet intervention.
Results:
Participants reported psychosocial self-management barriers related to social issues (45%), time pressures (22%), and emotions (25%). Most adolescents (76%) completed the two guided problem solving cycles, and most (97%) problems were appropriate and specific to diabetes. Of the 61 diabetes problems reported, 92% were mostly or completely solved. Baseline hemoglobin A1c, diabetes duration, and age were not related to online activities, however females posted more often to the forum (U=130.0, Z=2.13, p=.033). The majority of parents (87%) interacted with their child about the website.
Conclusion:
Adolescents experience psychosocial barriers to self-management that can be addressed by teaching problem solving via the Internet.
Practice Implications:
An Internet self-management problem solving program with minimal external support provides a viable option for diabetes clinics to improve pediatric diabetes outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...