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Background: Living with diabetes is challenging, especially for adolescents at risk of poor glycaemic control. Understanding the illness perceptions of this group is important to be able to develop interventions for this growing population in need. Aim: This study explored the illness perception amongst adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and how these perceptions interacted with the management of T1D. Setting: This study was conducted at a medical centre providing care for adolescents living with T1D in Parktown, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, explorative design with semi-structured interviews was followed. A non-random purposive sampling method was utilised. The illness perception amongst eight adolescents, aged 12–18 years, at risk of poor glycaemic control, was analysed through thematic analysis. Results: Two subthemes related to illness perception were generated, namely (1) illness perception of T1D is negative and (2) living with T1D leads to a sense of being different. Furthermore, two subthemes were generated in relation to how illness perceptions interacted with diabetes management, namely (3) management of T1D is challenging and (4) management of T1D is motivated by fear. Conclusion: This group of adolescents with at-risk glycaemic control believed that T1D is difficult to manage, leading to a largely negative perception of the disease. This study contributes to the body of literature on adolescents where illness perception may play a role in adhering to diabetes care plans. This research may give additional insights into the awareness of illness perception in designing successful interventions.

Background: Managing diabetes is especially challenging for adolescents, and they often struggle to believe they can manage the condition. Illness perception has been widely associated with better diabetes management outcomes, but the influence of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on adolescents has been largely neglected. Aim: The study aimed to explore the illness perception of a group of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using CGM. Setting: The study was conducted at a medical centre that provides diabetes care services to youth living with T1D in Parktown, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative research approach using semi-structured online interviews was used to gather data that was thematically analysed. Results: Themes emerging from the data confirmed that CGM creates a sense of control over diabetes management as blood glucose measures were more visible. A sense of normalcy was established as CGM influences a new routine and a way of life, integrating diabetes into a young person’s identity. Despite the users’ awareness of being different due to diabetes management, CGM assisted in creating a sense of belonging, contributing to developing a better quality of life. Conclusion: Findings of this study support the use of CGM as a means of empowering adolescents struggling with diabetes management to achieve better treatment outcomes. The important role of illness perception in facilitating this change was also evident. Contribution: By listening to the adolescent’s voice, CGM was identified as a possible intervention to empower adolescents to improve diabetes management.

Background: Type 2 diabetes has been recognised as a global health concern: one that requires intervention to lessen the incumbrance caused by the chronic illness. This rapid review was conducted to determine the scientific evidence available on how Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) interventions improved the self-management of individuals with type 2 diabetes. Aim: The aim of the review was to synthesise current scientific evidence regarding CBT-based interventions and self-management practices. Method: The rapid review served as a framework to appraise current national and international literature. The researchers used Google Scholar, Journal Storage (JSTOR), PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles, SAGE journals and EBSCO Discovery Services to search for relevant studies. This was performed by employing keywords. Nine relevant studies were identified. The studies were heterogenous in methodology. Seven of the nine studies were conducted in developing countries. Results: The study found that the context of developmental countries plays a significant role in the development of type 2 diabetes and requires tailored intervention because of socio-economic variabilities. The main themes identified in relation to improving self-management included: the characteristics of the CBT-based interventions, namely the format, duration, and outcomes, and identifying the techniques and components used in the CBT-based interventions. Conclusion: The review emphasised the need to further investigate the role of CBT in improving self-management of type 2 diabetes, especially in a South African context. Contribution: The review summarised the techniques that have proven to be effective for the self-management of type 2 diabetes.