Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Sci Diabetes Self Manag Care. 2024 Oct;50(5):339-351. doi: 10.1177/26350106241268412. Epub 2024 Aug 20.
The purpose of this study was to explore symptom management experiences among college students with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Limited qualitative data using a theoretical framework exist that explore the self-care behavior processes for symptom management.
A qualitative approach was used for this study. The middle-range theory of self care of chronic illness served as a framework for data collection and analysis procedures. Data collection included distributing a survey to collect participants' demographic and sociodemographic data and utilizing a semi-structured interview guide to conduct one-on-one interviews with 31 participants. Interviews occurred via Zoom (n = 28) and in person (n = 3). Interview transcripts were uploaded in NVivo for data management. The research team created a codebook using theoretical constructs to assist with thematic analysis. Data are representative of a sample whose characteristics include undergraduate students ages 18 to 23 living with T1DM for 2 years or more who attended large, public, 4-year universities located in the southeastern United States.
Three main themes were created using theoretical constructs: symptom detection experiences, symptom interpretation experiences, and symptom response experiences. Two subthemes were identified for each theme. Participants engaged in symptom management for blood glucose regulation through detecting changes in their blood glucose physiologically and via technology. Additionally, symptom interpretation involved analyzing blood glucose trends and determining common causes of blood glucose changes. Symptom response included immediately addressing hypoglycemia but delayed responses addressing hyperglycemia.
Challenges were present responding to hypoglycemia; therefore, additional research is warranted to improve symptom response skills.
本研究旨在探讨 1 型糖尿病（T1DM）大学生的症状管理体验。目前存在有限的使用理论框架的定性数据，探讨症状管理的自我护理行为过程。
本研究采用定性方法。慢性病自我护理的中程理论作为数据收集和分析程序的框架。数据收集包括分发一份调查，以收集参与者的人口统计学和社会人口统计学数据，并利用半结构化访谈指南对 31 名参与者进行一对一访谈。访谈通过 Zoom（n=28）和面对面（n=3）进行。访谈记录上传到 NVivo 进行数据管理。研究团队使用理论结构创建了一个代码本，以协助主题分析。这些数据代表了一个样本，其特征包括年龄在 18 到 23 岁之间、患有 T1DM 2 年或以上、就读于美国东南部大型公立 4 年制大学的本科生。
使用理论结构创建了三个主要主题：症状检测体验、症状解释体验和症状反应体验。每个主题都确定了两个子主题。参与者通过生理上检测血糖变化和使用技术来进行血糖调节的症状管理。此外，症状解释涉及分析血糖趋势和确定血糖变化的常见原因。症状反应包括立即处理低血糖，但对高血糖的反应延迟。
在应对低血糖方面存在挑战；因此，需要进一步研究以提高症状反应技能。
