Exploring Symptom Management Experiences Among College Students With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using a Theoretical...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Diabetes Management
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) requires continuous self-management, particularly for college students navigating unique lifestyle demands.
• Existing research offers limited qualitative insights into the self-care behaviors and symptom management processes in this demographic.
• A theoretical framework is crucial for understanding the complexities of T1DM symptom management in young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of college students with T1DM regarding symptom detection, interpretation, and response.
• To apply the middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness to understand self-care behaviors in T1DM symptom management.
• To identify specific challenges and facilitators in managing T1DM symptoms within a university setting.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, utilizing the middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness as a guiding framework.
• Data were collected through surveys for demographic information and semi-structured interviews with 31 undergraduate students (ages 18-23) diagnosed with T1DM for at least two years.
• Thematic analysis was conducted on interview transcripts managed in NVivo, guided by a codebook derived from theoretical constructs.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: symptom detection, symptom interpretation, and symptom response.
• Symptom detection involved recognizing blood glucose fluctuations through both physiological cues and technological monitoring.
• Symptom interpretation focused on analyzing glucose trends and identifying causal factors, while symptom response showed prompt management of hypoglycemia but delayed responses to hyperglycemia.

Conclusions:

• College students with T1DM experience distinct challenges in the interpretation and response phases of symptom management.
• While hypoglycemia was managed promptly, delayed responses to hyperglycemia indicate a need for targeted interventions.
• Further research is essential to enhance symptom response skills and improve overall diabetes self-care in this population.