Facilitating dialogue with adolescents with diabetes: Development of 'The Adolescent Mirror'-A research-based dialogue tool

AIMS: The Adolescent Mirror is a dialogue tool designed to support communication in type 1 diabetes care. This study reports on its development and evaluation in separate clinical consultations with adolescents and with parents.

METHODS: A qualitative approach was used to adapt The Family Mirror for adolescents. In the development phase, data from three prior studies were analyzed to identify themes relevant to adolescents' experiences with diabetes, which informed the creation of new quotations. In the test phase, the tool was tested in an outpatient clinic with 18 children and adolescents, 21 parents and three diabetes nurses. Children and adolescents participated in peer group sessions, while their parents joined parallel sessions, both facilitated by nurses with researcher support. In the evaluation phase, focus group discussions were conducted to gather participant feedback. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach, as described by Braun and Clarke.

RESULTS: The Adolescent Mirror comprised 66 quotation cards: 37 shared between adolescents and parents, 16 specific to adolescents and 13 specific to parents. The tool successfully facilitated discussions on diabetes-related topics such as emotional impact, independence and daily challenges. Adolescents engaged in meaningful conversations with peers, and parents gained insight into each other's experiences. The fact that the tool was based on quotes from other adolescents with diabetes was highlighted as an advantage.

CONCLUSIONS: The Adolescent Mirror appears to be a feasible tool for supporting conversations about the psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes. It may help adolescents feel acknowledged and understood, while also providing a way of facilitating dialogue among parents of adolescents with diabetes.