Diabetes as experienced by adolescents

This study explored adolescents' perspective of their diabetic management. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with twelve counselors-in-training (aged 15 to 18) at a diabetic youth camp. Interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method, which reinforces and reviews themes. These themes were further grouped into three categories: psychosocial, developmental, and clinical. A striking finding throughout the data was the ambivalence regarding diabetic issues. Major implications of this study are the richness of data available from adolescents who have diabetes, and the importance of considering the adolescent's perspective when planning diabetic care.