As young adults with T1D navigate the transition process to independence, they often do so in partnership with their parents, who are tasked with providing support and guidance. At this time, however, no structured education program exists for these parents. In addition, little is known about their learning needs, levels of distress, and readiness to provide appropriate guidance for their emerging adult children. This represents a gap in the literature and an opportunity to undertake exploratory research to learn more about this population so that meaningful education and support can be provided.~Aim 1. To describe the lived experience and diabetes-specific educational needs of parents of young adults with type 1 diabetes who are transitioning to independence.~Aim 2. To measure the effect of a mobile diabetes education program on diabetes distress levels of parents of young adults ages 18 to 25 years who are transitioning to independence.
The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to explore the lived experience of parents of young adults ages 18 to 25 years with type 1 diabetes who are transitioning to independence, and to test the preliminary efficacy of a mobile education program to reduce parental distress.