Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for adolescents with type-1-diabetes: a qualitative interview study involving adolescents and parents

Quality of life and psychosocial impact on patients with blood disorders: An empirical study from patients' perspectives in Saudi Arabia

STUDY PURPOSE

this study aims to analyze QOL and psychosocial impact on patients with blood disorders.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design is adopted in this study. The survey questionnaire included SF-36 form for measuring quality of life (QOL), along with psychosocial impact assessment scale. Adult patients with different types of blood disorders were recruited for the survey. Out of the 417 responses received, 389 were considered for data analysis and the remaining were avoided due to incomplete data.

RESULTS

In terms of psychosocial impact scales, the highest mean is observed for financial stress (4.09 ± 1.22), followed by social exclusion (3.76 ± 1.19) and relationship challenges (3.31 ± 1.18). Among the QOL scales, the highest mean was observed for pain (3.81 ± 1.17), followed by physical functioning (3.68 ± 1.12). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the participants groups characterized by age and type of disorder. Strong positive correlations between social exclusion and general health (r = 0.513), as well as pain and relationship challenges (r = 0.735) were observed.

CONCLUSION

Given the existing challenges in social exclusion, poor awareness, and support there is a need to develop comprehensive and personalized treatment plans integrating physical and mental support, awareness creation, and financial support.

Navigating the Challenges and Resilience in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of adolescents worldwide, especially those living with chronic diseases. This study aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily lives of adolescents with chronic diseases.

METHODS

This is a scoping review that follows the guidelines proposed by JBI. Eligibility criteria include articles focusing on adolescents aged 10 to 19 during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of chronic diseases. Searches were performed in PUBMED, LILACS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, grey literature, and manual searches in March 2024.

RESULTS

This review is composed of 35 articles. The analysis revealed two main categories: (1) Adolescents facing social isolation, school closure, and new family interactions, striving to reinvent themselves, and (2) Chasing the best decision: following up the chronic disease while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. These categories encompass subcategories highlighting changes in social and family interactions and lifestyle habits. The findings suggest a multifaceted interaction of factors influencing adolescents' well-being, including improved family bonding, heightened disease management, and increased stress and strains on resources.

CONCLUSIONS

This review emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up and social inclusion efforts for adolescents with chronic diseases and their families, addressing their unique needs during public health crises.

Diabetes Care and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Adolescents with Diabetes, Parents, and Providers

This study explored ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted adolescents' diabetes management and psychosocial functioning, and how adolescents, parents, and providers viewed telemedicine. We present data from three studies: (1) a comparison of psychosocial functioning and glycemic levels before and after pandemic onset (n = 120 adolescents; 89% with type 1 diabetes), (2) an online survey of parents about pandemic-related stressors (n = 141), and (3) qualitative interviews with adolescents, parents, and medical providers about the pandemic's impacts on adolescents' diabetes care and mental health (n = 13 parent-adolescent dyads; 7 medical providers). Results suggested some adverse effects, including disrupting routines related to health behaviors and psychosocial functioning and impairing adolescents' quality of life. Despite these challenges, most participants did not endorse significant impacts. Some even noted benefits, such as increased parental supervision of diabetes management that can be leveraged beyond the pandemic. Furthermore, telemedicine offers benefits to continuity of diabetes care but presents challenges to care quality. These findings underscore the varied and unique impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents with diabetes.

"One and a Half Years of Things We Could Have Done": Multi-Method Analysis of the Narratives of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

Public health interventions for COVID-19 forced families to adopt changes in daily routines that affected children's and adolescents' psychological well-being. In youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), psychological symptoms may compromise glycemic control and outcomes; however, evidence of improved glycemic control in children and adolescents with T1D emerged early during the pandemic. This qualitative study aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents' with T1D routines, experiences, T1D management, and psychological well-being.

METHODS

24 adolescents, aged 15-18 years, with T1D, joined focus-group discussions during the diabetes summer camp. Word frequency analysis and thematic analysis were conducted on adolescents' narratives. The average frequencies of use of words related to COVID-19 and to T1D were compared by t-test.

RESULTS

Word frequency analysis identified "friends", "family", and "home" as the most recurrent terms. Seven themes were highlighted: (1) COVID-19 and T1D; (2) emotional reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) changes in daily life; (4) feelings of loss; (5) coping with the COVID-19 pandemic; (6) the COVID-19 pandemic as opportunity; (7) return to (new) normality. COVID-19 related words were on average more frequent than words referring to T1D.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic may have represented a more stressful condition for adolescents with T1D, facing additional challenges compared to their healthy peers. Findings offer directions to the diabetes care team for customized interventions while the effects of the pandemic on adolescents' health continue.

Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Racially/Ethnically Diverse Youth With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study examined caregiver perceived impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on a diverse sample of U.S. youth with diabetes and their families.

METHODS

Caregivers of youth with diabetes completed an electronic survey in English or Spanish at two sites. Participants provided demographic and disease characteristics and completed the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scales (CEFIS). Glycemic health was assessed via Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from medical chart review. Analysis of variance and analyses of covariance were utilized to examine racial/ethnic differences in glycemic health and in COVID-19 Exposure, Impact, and Distress scales. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted to predict HbA1c. Thematic analysis was conducted on open-ended responses regarding the effects of COVID-19 on youth and families' overall and diabetes-related well-being.

RESULTS

Caregivers (n = 114) of youth with diabetes (M = 12.6 ± 3.5 years) completed study measures. Mean HbA1c for Non-Hispanic White youth was lowest and significantly different from Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black youth. Exposure to COVID-19 stressors differed by race/ethnicity (p < .05) with Hispanic caregivers reporting greatest exposure. CEFIS scales did not predict HbA1c after controlling for demographic/disease variables. Caregivers described child/family changes during COVID (e.g., more time together, health-related hypervigilance), as well as differences in diabetes management during COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate differences in COVID-19 exposure but did not demonstrate other racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 impact or distress. Household income was the most important predictor of glycemic health. Addressing structural inequalities experienced by youth with diabetes and their families is critical. Recommendations to support families with diabetes are made.