Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis Experience in Individuals Aged 15 to 24 Years

The purpose of the integrative review was to analyze published research on the experiences of individuals aged 15 to 24 years within two years of a type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) diagnosis, with the intention of understanding their potential challenges and ensuring best practice by healthcare professionals when caring for and supporting these individuals. With T1DM being a chronic disease with no known cure, this diagnosis greatly impacts one’s life, making understanding of the experiences of individuals with diabetes essential. Individuals aged 15 to 24 years were studied as this age group craves autonomy while potentially facing multiple life transitions simultaneously. They may make risky decisions that can threaten their health, and are at an increased risk for suicide. After completing a systematic literature search, two studies that met the set criteria were analyzed. One found that T1DM adds challenges to college living, while the other study discussed management of exercise with T1DM. Both studies emphasized the importance of education and how T1DM affects all parts of one’s life. While they provided a glimpse of the daily challenges individuals with T1DM face, there are still many gaps in T1DM diagnosis experience research. Health professionals need additional credible research in order to conduct evidence-based practice that improves the lives of these young individuals coping with a serious chronic disease. If further research is not conducted, individuals aged 15 to 24 years are at a severe disadvantage in navigating a new T1DM diagnosis and could easily become overwhelmed due to their developing brains and additional lifestyle changes that come with being an emerging adult.