They Think It's Helpful, but It's Not: a Qualitative Analysis of the Experience of Social Support Provided by Peers in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Background Adherence in type 1 diabetes has previously been found to be improved with effective social support. However, research has so far been unable to elucidate the effect of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, with studies concluding they may be both positively and negatively related to self-care and glycaemic control. The present study explores the experience of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes using a qualitative methodology to address this lack of consensus in the literature, using the research question: what is the meaning and experience of social support from peers in adolescents with type 1 diabetes? Methods Semi-structured interviews using the Diabetes Social Support Interview schedule were employed. Twelve participants aged 15-18 were recruited from paediatric outpatient services. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two overarching themes were noted within transcripts; A Sense of Normality and They Think It's Helpful, But It's Not. Overall, participants reported a desire for global support from peers and explored how and why diabetes-specific support behaviours were more likely to be interpreted as harassing. Conclusions These findings suggest that diabetes-specific support may not always be advantageous in aiding adolescents to reach and maintain optimal self-care. In addition, participants emphasise the acceptability of advice provided by peers with type 1 diabetes, making peer support and mentoring programmes an excellent candidate for future research.