The narrative-autobiographical approach in the group education of adolescents with diabetes: a qualitative research on its effects.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a narrative-autobiographical approach in the care and education of adolescents with type-1 diabetes and observe the effects of this novel approach on adolescents' self-awareness, concern for self-care, and well-being.


METHODS
Ninety-four adolescents with type-1 diabetes attending one 9-day summer camp in 2004, 2005, or 2006 participated in structured daily self-writing proposals on diabetes, integrated with daily interactive self-management education. After some months, we sent participants interview-like questionnaires, and two independent researchers performed a qualitative analysis of the 50 answers that were mailed back.


RESULTS
Writing about the discovery of diabetes was, for many, a stressful experience, but with a strong liberating effect. One relevant point was change, which occurred: (a) in the perception of self; (b) in the relationship with others; (c) in the relationship with the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The integration of autobiography in diabetes camps, by adding the value of sharing individual stories to the liberating power of self-writing, can allow the adolescents to overcome their feelings of diversity, and can initiate several changes reflecting increased self-efficacy, maturity, acceptance of the disease and responsibility in self-management.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-writing is feasible and well accepted, and provides healthcare professionals a proper way to patient-centered care.
Piana
Natalia
N
CURIAMO (University Research Centre on Physical Activity), Department of Internal Medicine, Perugia, Italy.
Maldonato
Aldo
A
Bloise
Donatella
D
Carboni
Luciano
L
Careddu
Giovanni
G
Fraticelli
Emanuele
E
Mereu
Luisa
L
Romani
Giannermete
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014956:Writing