Youth and Parent Perspectives on the Acceptability of a Group Physical Activity and Coping Intervention for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose To examine youth and parent perspectives on the acceptability of Bright 1 Bodies, a group physical activity and coping intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods Adolescents participated in 12 weekly sessions of moderate to vigorous physical activity and discussion with peers with T1DM. Adolescents completed an exit survey measuring satisfaction with the intervention on a 5-point Likert scale. Semistructured interviews were conducted with adolescents and at least one parent. Qualitative description was used to develop themes that summarize the acceptability of the intervention. Results Mean scores for survey subscales were: 4.5 (SD = 0.39) for program components and strategies, 4.4 (SD = 0.44) for comfort with the intervention, and 4.3 (SD = 0.62) for instructors. Themes included: (1) adolescents and parents valued being around others with T1DM and their families, (2) the intervention helped adolescents gain knowledge and reinforce diabetes self-management behaviors, (3) challenges included convenience and sustaining participant engagement, and (4) adolescents intended to sustain physical activity and diabetes self-management behaviors after the intervention. Conclusions Adolescents and parents viewed the intervention as acceptable across multiple domains. Participants valued the group aspect of the intervention, and future interventions would benefit from integrating social interactions with others with T1DM.