Date of Conferral
2-27-2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
Tolulope Osoba
Abstract
Black adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face significant health disparities, yet their unique treatment journeys remain largely underreported. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Black adolescents with T1DM. The study addressed two research questions examining how these individuals experience and navigate T1DM self-management, self-efficacy beliefs, and perceived barriers and facilitators to optimal self-care. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Black adolescents with T1DM recruited from a pediatric hospital in Washington, DC. The study utilized Bandura's social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework. Thematic data analysis identified four key themes: (1) character development through knowledge acquisition, (2) awareness of self-care pitfalls, (3) nuances of a supportive social network, and (4) interplay between self-identity and social identity. Study findings revealed that while participants developed diabetes management knowledge and capabilities over time, they faced challenges with consistent implementation of self-care requirements, experienced challenges with support systems, and managed the intersection between living with T1DM and their experience as a Black teenager. Recommendations include developing culturally responsive interventions that integrate clinical support with psychosocial needs and ensuring equitable access to diabetes technologies. These findings can contribute to positive social change by informing healthcare provider education, enhancing school-based support systems, and guiding policy changes to address systemic barriers in diabetes care.
Recommended Citation
Di Felice, Vanessa, "More Than Numbers: Black Adolescents’ Journey With Type 1 Diabetes Management" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17429.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17429
