Aims

Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience greater sleep disturbances than people without diabetes. However, the nature, causes, and effects of sleep disruption in individuals with T1D and their family are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore and characterize the perspectives of parents, partners, and individuals with diabetes about T1D-related sleep issues.

Methods

Participants included 44 youth and adults with T1D (ages 9-69), 24 parents of youth with T1D, and 14 partners of adults with T1D, recruited from diabetes clinics at two academic medical centers in the Southwestern and Midwestern United States. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using hybrid thematic analysis.

Results

We identified two central themes: Emotional Distress and Sleep Disruption. Each theme had multiple subthemes, and the two central themes were related to one another via a shared subtheme, Worry Impacting Sleep.

Conclusions

Complex T1D-related emotional and behavioral factors both contributed to and resulted from sleep difficulties. Diabetes care providers should routinely assess for sleep concerns in people with T1D and their parents and partners. It may be important to consider both diabetes-related causes of sleep disruptions and potential impacts on self-management and emotional functioning.