Transitioning to college with type 1 diabetes mellitus: the parental perspective
| Author(s) | Ness, Michelle M. | |
| Date Accessioned | 2022-10-10T12:03:51Z | |
| Date Available | 2022-10-10T12:03:51Z | |
| Publication Date | 2020 | |
| SWORD Update | 2022-08-11T19:10:27Z | |
| Abstract | Over 2 million families will begin the transition to college in fall 2020. The transition to college is an exciting and challenging time for families. As emerging young adults (EYA) are completing high school and preparing to begin their college career, parents are simultaneously undergoing their own transition from being the parent of an adolescent to becoming the parent of an EYA. While this is a normative life transition, parents who are not able to adapt to individual and systemic changes during the transition period are at risk of entrenchment, subverting their healthy development along the lifespan. This transition is even more complicated when coupled with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). ☐ Type 1 diabetes mellitus is expected to impact nearly 600,000 youth by the year 2050. As EYAs with T1DM prepare to leave for college, parents must relinquish responsibility for T1DM management. Parents may be unwilling to relinquish control of T1DM management in the college setting due to fear of the unknown as well as increased risk for EYA involvement in high risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use. Parents who are confident in their EYA’s ability to manage T1DM at college may be more comfortable with their EYA’s departure, but concerns remain. The aim of this dissertation study was to explore the experience of parents of EYAs with T1DM before, during, and after the transition to college and address gaps in the literature to inform recommendations for future research and clinical interventions. ☐ Study one (chapter 2) systematically reviewed existing literature focused on the barriers and facilitators experienced by parents as they transitioned their EYA with T1DM to college. The review of the literature identified three potential barriers: developing and promoting autonomy, evolving relationships and roles in the parent/youth dyad, and distress. Study two (chapter 3) sought to explore the experience of mothers of EYAs with T1DM before the college transition. Four themes emerged: concern for health and safety at college; evolving roles of the parent and emerging adult dyad; communication dynamics; and social support systems. Study three (chapter 4) further explored the parental experience after the transition to college by identifying barriers and facilitators experienced by parents as their EYA with T1DM completed the transition to college. Several facilitators and barriers were identified, including EYAs’ ability to self-manage; the EYA’s new social support network including friends and roommates; and levels of support for parents. ☐ Findings from this dissertation indicate that parents of EYAs with T1DM have higher levels of concern and experience barriers during the transition to college. Parents of EYAs with T1DM require additional levels of support and education from diabetes care providers as well as colleges and universities during the college transition process. Further research is needed to determine the nature of this support and to develop family centered interventions to assist parents to transition their EYA with T1DM to college. | en_US |
| Advisor | Saylor, Jennifer L. | |
| Advisor | Selekman, Janice | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, School of Nursing | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/z4ps-jq15 | |
| Unique Identifier | 1347098739 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/31453 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://login.udel.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/transitioning-college-with-type-1-diabetes/docview/2708569177/se-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Diabetes | en_US |
| Keywords | Parent/youth dyad | en_US |
| Keywords | Transition to college | en_US |
| Keywords | Type 1 diabetes mellitus | en_US |
| Title | Transitioning to college with type 1 diabetes mellitus: the parental perspective | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |