The feasibility and acceptability of a narrative therapy group approach for adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A pilot study

Watt, Vanessa J. (2012) The feasibility and acceptability of a narrative therapy group approach for adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A pilot study. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a narrative therapy group approach for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Design: The study employed a between-group, repeated measure design comparing a narrative therapy group intervention to a control group who received treatment-as-usual.
Methods: 75 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years old who had been identified as having poorly controlled T1D (HbA1c > 8%), were invited to participate in a one-off narrative therapy group. A total of eight individuals agreed to take part and were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n=4) or treatment-as-usual (n=4). Information on the acceptability of this approach was gathered from follow-up interviews three months after attendance at the group. Outcome measures included HbA1c, diabetes-related distress and self-efficacy.
Results: The adolescents who did attend the intervention group reported it to have been a beneficial experience which had helped them to feel less isolated in their experience of living with diabetes. Additionally, some participants reported that the group had provided them with a ‘wake-up’ call and had encouraged them to re-think the way they manage their condition. However, no significant changes in HbA1c, diabetes-related distress or self-efficacy were observed in either the intervention or the control group at three month follow-up.
Conclusions: This novel group approach was considered to be an acceptable adjunct to treatment-as-usual. All adolescents who attended the group reported that they would recommend it to other young people with T1D. A larger scaled study would be required in order to determine whether this approach can improve glycaemic control and psychosocial outcomes in an adolescent population.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes, Adolescents, Narrative Therapy, Feasibility, Acceptability
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > Institute of Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Wilson, Dr. Sarah and Hunter, Dr. Liz
• Date of Award: 2012
• Depositing User: Dr Vanessa Watt
• Unique ID: glathesis:2012-3607
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 Nov 2012
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 14:09
• URI: http://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/3607