Psychosocial factors of paediatric diabetes management

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Understanding psychosocial factors of paediatric diabetes management: a Q methodological study

  • IRAS ID

    257745

  • Contact name

    Helen Combes

  • Contact email

    h.a.combes@staffs.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Staffordshire University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 11 days

  • Research summary

    The national guidelines on managing diabetes in children emphasise the importance of social and psychological support for the family and young person. However, different stakeholders in a child’s medical care may have varied opinions on what is helpful because each family’s situation is unique.

    This study aims to collect statements relating to the psychological, social and contextual factors that impact the management of paediatric diabetes, from population of young people with diabetes, their family members and the medical staff that care for them. It will then aim to explore the beliefs of individuals within the above community using a Q methodological approach. This approach asks the participants to look at all of the statements gathered and decide how much they agree or disagree with each statement. This will take around 60 minutes per participant and will be carried out in the Outpatient clinic where the child and family attend their routine diabetes check ups. The differences and similarities in views between participants will then be analysed statistically.

    The study will aim to highlight the various beliefs held in the population about what helps them best manage paediatric diabetes. The Q methodology approach will allow identification of voices which are not always heard in research, such as children's, in conjunction with opinions of other stakeholders. This information may allow us to consider different approaches to treatment and support for families depending on what is important to them. Common themes may emerge which could inform how professionals work as a team around a family providing support not only to the child with diabetes but to other members of the family network.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/WM/0086

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Mar 2019

  • REC opinion

    Unfavourable Opinion