Vivência do familiar junto ao adolescente com diabetes mellitus tipo 1

Abstract

Objective: to understand the meanings of the family member's experience with adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1). Methods: a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out in a Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes Care Center, in the interior of Minas Gerais, from October 2022 to January 2023, with family members responsible for the care of adolescents diagnosed with DM1. Data collection occurred through semistructured interviews and analysis according to the method proposed by Bardin. Results: Most of the participants were mothers, between 36 and 50 years old, with complete high school and 33.33% of the interviewees have some occupation, the others perform household activities, are unemployed or have already retired. Three categories of analysis emerged, namely: repercussions of the diagnosis of DM1 in the family; the daily life of the family member in maintaining healthy habits in the life of the adolescent; the coexistence of the family with the adolescent. Final Considerations: Family members experience challenges from the discovery of the disease to the present day. They face financial difficulties due to the change in family dynamics, deal with the adolescent's disobedience and demotivation to adhere to a healthy diet and physical exercise. Family coexistence generates stress, since adolescence is a phase permeated with exacerbated feelings.