Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this longitudinal, qualitative study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-efficacy and diabetes management among youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: We conducted two semi-structured interviews with adolescents diagnosed with T1DM (n = 18) and their maternal caregivers (n = 20) over 6-9 months, to understand how their confidence in the adolescent's ability to manage their diabetes changed during the pandemic. Interviews were transcribed and coded by four raters, establishing inter-reliability. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: Preventing Adverse Glycemic Events, Useful Glucose Trend Information, Improved Diabetes Management, and Downsides of Technology. Most adolescents (63%) reported increased confidence in their ability to manage diabetes during the pandemic. Over half of these adolescents were already using an insulin pump, and a substantial number (33%) updated their insulin delivery method. Both adolescents and caregivers cited diabetes devices as a factor in their self-efficacy for diabetes management. DISCUSSION: Findings illustrate the importance of diabetes management in the daily lives of adolescents diagnosed with T1DM, and the potential benefits of diabetes devices during disruptions to care.