Abstract

HELENO, Maria Geralda Viana et al. Vacation camp for children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Findings of the psychological approach. Bol. psicol [online]. 2009, vol.59, n.130, pp.77-90. ISSN 0006-5943.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus requires intensive treatment in order to reduce the incidence and progression of complications. Educational measures are fundamental to reach the best metabolic control possible. This study realized 98 semi-structured interviews aimed to describe how children and adolescents, participants in a Vacation Camp, perceive their diabetic condition and treatment. The results revealed that the diagnosis is always an impacting factor, difficult to be accepted by the young ones and their families. The support from family and friends when excessive impairs their adaptation. They consider their social lives very restricted and suffer with the control imposed by the treatment. They consider the environment of the vacation camp appropriate to learn about their illness and to promote affective independence and autonomy into self-monitoring.

Keywords : Type1 Diabetes Mellitus; Vacation camp; Diabetes education.

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