O-109 A qualitative study on the role of psychosocial support in managing the needs of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus between 10 and 19 years old from the adolescent’s perspective

Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with purposively recruited heterogeneous sample of adolescents aged 10–19 years from a diabetes registry. Semi-structured interviews followed a piloted guide, after obtaining informed consent (adults) and assent plus parental consent (minors). Reflexivity and field notes minimised researcher bias. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis with iterative co-coding and discussion, supported by Atlas.ti software.

Results: Guided by saturation, 11 interviews were conducted and nine included in the final analysis. Participants ranged from 10 to 18 years old (four males, five females). Analysis produced four organising themes (OTs): OT 1: Ecosystem of Support reflecting mixed perceptions of familial and peer involvement; OT 2: Approach to T1DM Management highlighting coping strategies including avoidance and selective disclosure; OT 3: Knowledge and Understanding of Living with T1DM shaped by healthcare providers, peers and social media; OT 4: Treatment Options for T1DM where advanced technology’s perception was beneficial but limited by cost and accessibility. Collectively the OTs informed one global theme: “extrinsic and intrinsic factors shape adolescents’ perceptions of psychosocial support in T1DM management.”

Conclusion: Adolescents’ experiences of T1DM management were shaped by social support, coping styles, disease acceptance and access to resources. Findings support the integration of psychosocial support into T1DM care through policy-level standardisation, providing a foundation for subsequent organisational and interpersonal interventions.