How can support from peers contribute in a positive way to diabetes selfmanagement of adolescents ?

Adolescence is a turbulent developmental phase. Apparently, during this period
it is difficult for many young people with diabetes type 1 to handle the
diabetes and the diabetes regime adequately. In adolescence, the influence of
parents decreases, while the influence of peers increases: a major
developmental task of adolescents is to form intimite relations with peers. In
the past, attention was mainly given to negative influences of peers on
diabetes selfmanagement. However, peers can also be a source of positive and
constructive support. It thus seems worthwhile to investigate in which ways
peers can contribute to diabetes selfmanagement in a positive way. It is
important that such research focuses on the perspectives and needs of
adolescents with diabetes.

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the perspectives of adolescents
with diabetes type 1 on how support from friends can be helpful in
selfmanagement of diabetes. This can serve as a basis for the development of
structural interventions to strengthen support from friends.

The perspectives and needs of adolescents from 12 to 15 years of age, their
best friend(s), and their parents will be mapped using qualitative methods: A)
4 focusgroup discussions via Internet with autochtonous adolescents with
diabetes type 1 (2 with boys and 2 with girls), 4 focusgroup discussions via
Internet with adolescents with diabetes type 1 from Morroccan descent (2 with
boys and 2 with girls); B) interviews with 15 pairs or triads of an adolescent
and one or two best friends each, to also gain insight in the perspective of
friends and the interactions between adolescents and friends; C) 2 focusgroup
discussions via Internet with parents, to gain insight in the perspectives of
parents on a stronger involvement of friends.
In a workshop with adolescents with diabetes, feedback will be given on the
results, and a framework of basic assumptions, tips, and ideas will be
formulated, that can serve as starting point for the development of
interventions aiming to strenghten the support from friends.

This project is specifically targeted to (the problems of) adolescents with
diabetes type 1, and can therefore only be done with participants form the
target group. Adolescents wil be asked to take part in a focusgroup discussion
via Internet, and some of them will be asked to also take part in an interview
together with one or two best friends. The focusgroup discussion and the
interview will focus on behaviors from friends adolescents experience as
supportive or as unsupportive, and on practical possibilities to strenghten
support from friends. Participation is voluntary and will not be
time-consuming. Questions asked will not be penetrating.
Participants will have the opportunity to bring forward their opinions and
needs, while they can be confident that something will be done with their
opinions.