Caregiver Stress and Support Needs

Parental and caregiver support has strong evidence of improving adolescent self-efficacy and T1D knowledge, and ultimately bolstering autonomy in young adulthood. Caregivers recognised that sustainable change required them to shift their own communication style and expectations, not only the adolescent taking on more responsibility. Caregivers of recently diagnosed adolescents reported feeling unprepared even for current paediatric management, suggesting they may need additional foundational diabetes education beyond a standard transition program. Caregivers repeatedly reported carrying significant worry about their adolescent's health and wanting explicit strategies for managing their own stress, both for personal well-being and to model positive coping for their children.