Beyond Glycaemic Control: Psychosocial Well-Being And Quality of Life in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus – A Review Article

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional, and social development. For young people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), these changes occur alongside the continuing demands of diabetes management, which may affect psychological well-being and health-related quality of life.

Objective: To review the evidence on psychosocial challenges and health-related quality of life among adolescents with T1DM and identify implications for adolescent-centred nursing and multidisciplinary care.

Data sources: This narrative review draws on international clinical practice guidelines, peer-reviewed literature, and publications addressing adolescent diabetes management, psychological well-being, family functioning, social relationships, and quality of life. Relevant literature was identified through searches of biomedical literature resources and reference lists of key publications, with priority given to clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and studies involving adolescents with T1DM.

Data synthesis: Adolescents with T1DM face interconnected physical, emotional, familial, and social challenges arising from lifelong insulin therapy, glucose monitoring, dietary planning, and the prevention of acute complications. Diabetes distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fear of hypoglycaemia, body image concerns, and treatment fatigue may affect self-management and everyday functioning. Family conflict, peer relationships, school experiences, stigma, and financial limitations can further influence quality of life. Evidence-informed care emphasizes developmentally appropriate diabetes education, collaborative family involvement, routine psychosocial assessment, access to mental health professionals, and individualized support for self-management. Although diabetes technologies may reduce some treatment demands, their use can introduce concerns related to cost, privacy, device visibility, and continuous monitoring.

Conclusion: Psychological and social well-being should be considered essential components of comprehensive diabetes care during adolescence. Integrating psychosocial assessment, family support, school collaboration, and individualized nursing interventions may strengthen coping, encourage treatment engagement, and support better health-related quality of life. Further context-specific research is needed to identify feasible and effective interventions, particularly in resource-constrained settings.