Exploring Shared Stress Experiences Among Teens With Chronic Health Conditions

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions (CHCs) experience significant condition-related stress in addition to everyday stress. This increases their risks of high cumulative stress, which could affect current and future health and well-being. Prior research is limited by including participants in different developmental stages, a narrow focus on one or a few conditions, or exploring concepts other than stress. Few studies have focused on the stress experiences of teens with diverse CHCs who are in one developmental stage, including the stressors they experience and their impact on teens' lives more broadly. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the unique stress experiences of teens with CHCs. METHODS: Semi-structured, audio-only interviews were conducted with teens with CHCs. Interview questions explored everyday and CHC-related stressors and teens' responses to these stressors. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with qualitative description as the theoretical foundation. Codes, sub-themes, and themes were identified and defined through an iterative process. RESULTS: Fifteen teens aged 14-17 years old with a variety of CHCs completed study interviews. Three central themes were generated to reflect teens' condition-related stress experiences: (1) Living with a CHC; (2) My CHC makes me different; and (3) Response to living with a CHC. Teens' experiences were unique and diverse, highlighting the importance of exploring individual perspectives. CONCLUSION: This study broadens the understanding of stress experiences in teens with a variety of CHCs, highlighting how condition-related stress can permeate multiple aspects of life. Findings underscore the need for individualized assessment of condition-related stress and the development and implementation of tailored interventions designed to mitigate the impact of condition-related stress on teens' lives.