Young Diabetics’ Decision Making Regarding Alcohol
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Alcohol use among adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: a grounded theory analysis
IRAS ID
170797
Contact name
Ishbel Begg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Trials and Research Governance (CTRG) Team, University of Oxford
Research summary
Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a chronic condition characterised by hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels), whereby the body does not produce insulin. This can be managed through insulin injections and a healthy lifestyle. T1DM can occur at any age but it is typically diagnosed in childhood and is one of the most common childhood chronic illnesses, occurring in approximately 1 in 450 children.
Studies have shown that effective diabetes management can reduce the likelihood of health problems developing (e.g. blindness and heart conditions). Drinking alcohol can put good diabetes management at risk due to the high sugar content in some drinks, and the negative effect intoxication can have a person's adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours (such as regular blood sugar monitoring).
Adolescence is often a time of experimentation with alcohol. By the age of 16 diabetic teenagers consume alcohol at the same rate as non-diabetic teens. It is important to understand why young diabetics choose to drink, given it is much more risky for them than for their non-diabetic peers.
10-15 adolescents between the ages of 13-16 with T1DM, will be recruited through two regional Paediatric Diabetes Clinics. After seeking informed consent from the parents and adolescents, participants will complete a semi-structured interview about their decision making processes in relation to choosing whether or not to drink alcohol. Interviews will be analysed using Grounded Theory analysis.
This study aims to provide an explanatory model of decision making regarding alcohol use for young adolescents with T1DM. It is anticipated that this will provide some clarification of the factors influencing the decision to consume alcohol, and how these factors influence decision making. This model will have the potential to contribute to the expanding literature on substance use in adolescents with diabetes and inform clinical educational approaches and interventions,and support for young diabetics and their families.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0205
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion