PERCEIVED STRESS AND SELF-CARE ACTIVITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH TYP1 DIABETES

Abstract

Abstract

Teens with type 1 diabetes encounter particular difficulties in managing their illness because they have to juggle the responsibilities of controlling their diabetes on a daily basis with the usual obstacles of puberty, including peer pressure, stress from school, and emotional shifts. Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is a chronic illness that calls for regular blood glucose testing, adherence to an insulin regimen, and maintenance of a nutritious diet and exercise schedule. The term "perceived stress" describes how someone feels about the demands made on them and how well they are able to handle them. Managing a chronic health condition like type 1 diabetes, family conflicts, social interactions, and academic pressures are just a few of the many reasons that can lead to stress. According to research, teenagers with type 1 diabetes deal with stress at a higher rate than their counterparts without the disease. The ongoing need for self-care, anxiety about hypo- or hyperglycemia, worries about long-term problems, and the effect of diabetes on everyday activities and social relationships are all contributing factors to this heightened stress. High levels of perceived stress have been associated with poor glycemic control, an increased risk of complications from diabetes, and a lower quality of life in people with type 1 diabetes. Stress can also have an impact on self-care practices since it can make it difficult for people to prioritize their diabetes care when they are dealing with conflicting demands and emotional distress.

Objective:

• Determining the level of Perceived stress among adolescents with type 1 diabetes.


• Determining the level of self-care activities among adolescents with type 1 diabetes Relation.


• Finding the relationship between Perceived stress and self-care activities.

Materials and Methods: descriptive study conducted in Al-Nasiriyah city's The Specialized Center of Endocrinology Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus. The research was carried out in April 2023. Information gathered from interviewing teenagers to provide responses on the study's questionnaire The perceived stress scale and the general self-care activities questionnaire.

Results: In this study, 220 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, ages 11 to 19, were included. The adolescents reported low levels of self-care activities and moderate levels of perceived stress. The relationship between perceived stress and self-care activities was found to be significantly inverse.

Conclusions: According to the study, enhancing teenagers with type 1 diabetes's engagement in self-care activities requires addressing their perceived stress. Healthcare professionals can assist teenagers in better managing their conditions and improving their overall health outcomes by putting focused interventions into practice and offering tailored.