Adolescents’ Experiences of Being a Sibling of a Child With Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore adolescents' experiences of being a sibling of a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and how diabetes affects the family. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Norway through individual, semistructured interviews with adolescents (16-20 years) who had been siblings of a child with T1D before the age of 18. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis, as described by Braun and Clarke, was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified during the analysis, each comprising related subthemes. The main themes were (1) the start was difficult, but it gradually got better; (2) diabetes affects the atmosphere in the family; (3) a desire to be included; and (4) diabetes affects everyday life to a great extent. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study confirmed that T1D has a major impact on a family's everyday life, but the siblings experienced that it affected the family dynamics both positively and negatively. Siblings expressed a desire for more information and support from health care professionals and a desire to be included in the diabetes management of their sibling with T1D. The findings highlight the need for health care professionals to include siblings in diabetes education and follow-up.