Exploring the 24-Hour Psychosocial Challenges Experienced by Young People Living with Type 1 Diabetes and Their Families
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) presents significant 24-hour challenges for those living with the condition and their families. It can affect well-being during the day and at nighttime. My proposed PhD project investigates the multidimensional and interdisciplinary impact of T1D on young people (here defined as those aged between 5 and 19 years) living with the condition and their families. Initial systematic reviews will examine the daytime and nighttime challenges associated with T1D, including socio-educational issues, caregiving stress, sleep disturbances, and nocturnal caregiving. These reviews will be submitted for publication, providing a baseline understanding of the modern complexities of T1D.
Two substantial empirical studies will follow and expand this investigation. The first study has two main aims (Aim 1A & 1B). Aim 1A will be addressed by adopting a mixed-methods design to comprehensively explore sleep experiences in families managing T1D. It will investigate the sleep patterns of children with T1D, their caregivers, and siblings, focusing on familial sleep dynamics and disruptions caused by T1D. The second aim (1B) will explore how nighttime sleep disruptions affect psychosocial functioning in real time by employing Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Data for Study 1A and B will be collected at the same time in a single sample for reasons of feasibility.
Finally, the second empirical study evaluates the barriers and challenges; facilitators and acceptability of implementing standard sleep advice among young people living with T1D. Through rigorous research methods, this research aims to clarify some of the intertwined daily and nocturnal challenges families face, with a strong emphasis on sleep in this population, guiding the development of evidence-based, family-centred care strategies.