Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptability of Compassion and Mindfulness Training for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers
Emilie Bundgaard Lindkvist, Steffen U. Thorsen, Cecilie Paulsrud, Stine Møller Sildorf, Annette Korsholm Mouritsen, Lone Fjorback, Nanja Holland Hansen, Jannet SvenssonABSTRACT
Aim
To examine the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness training for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and compassion training for caregivers.
Methods
Adolescents aged 12–17 years with T1D, and their caregivers were recruited from two diabetes centres between 2022 and 2023 to participate in an eight‐week, online, open‐label course (Mindfulness training for adolescents; compassion training for parents). Patient‐reported outcomes, glycaemic outcomes and stress measures were collected during pre‐specified in‐clinic visits. The changes over the course of the study were assessed descriptively.
Results
Thirteen adolescents (age 13.6 ± 1.2 years; 62% female) and 30 caregivers (age 46.8 ± 4.7 years; 65% female; 83% with medium‐ or long‐term education) were enrolled; nine adolescents and 21 parents completed this feasibility study. Interventions were delivered in two rounds. After introducing a face‐to‐face pre‐meeting before the second round, adherence and retention improved, particularly among adolescents. Completers reported positive experiences and showed improvements in diabetes distress (PAID) and well‐being (WHO‐5). Qualitative findings suggested that increased parental calmness and kindness reduced parent‐adolescent conflicts, and parents valued peer support and community.
Conclusion
Compassion and mindfulness training appear feasible and may support mental well‐being in families with T1D; however, broader reach requires integration into routine clinical care.