'Dancing with diabetes': Family coping strategies to promote psychological and behavioural adaptation in older children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes-A qualitative study.

AIMS: To explore how families facilitate psychological and behavioural adaptation among older children and adolescents with T1D from the perspective of parents, children and families.

METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using maximum variance sampling method. Seventeen families in China, including 16 parents and 10 older children/adolescents with T1D, participated in semi-structured online interviews via phone or social software. Conventional content analysis was employed for data analysis.

RESULTS: Three interrelated themes emerged: (1) emotional adjustment through support and compensation; (2) positive belief formation through transcendence and identity; and (3) enhanced self-management through cooperation and development. Emotional exchange, verbal support, companionship and practical compensation were identified from parents or children for regulating children's emotions. Parents fostered positive self-identity and set role models to encourage children's resilience and optimism. Shared responsibility, cognitive-behavioural adjustments, expansion of supportive environments and avoiding unhealthy behaviors were shown to be effective strategies for improving children's diabetes management.

CONCLUSIONS: Perspectives on psychological and behavioural adaptation differed among parents, children and families, underscoring the need for family-centred approaches that address diverse emotional needs and align behavioural goals. Interventions should strengthen emotional connections, foster positive beliefs and enhance collaborative self-management within families to support children's adaptation to diabetes.