Purpose of review: The purpose of this review was to synthesize current research about potential barriers impacting parents as they transition their college-bound youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) to college.
Recent findings: Seven studies, 5 qualitative and 2 quantitative, met the qualifications for inclusion in this study by focusing on parents and were included in this review. Three potential barriers impacting the parental experience during the transition of their youth with T1DM to college were identified: developing and promoting autonomy, evolving relationships and roles in the parent/youth dyad, and distress. Parents consistently indicated concern about their youth's ability to self-manage their T1DM and lack of support for their own transition. This review indicates that several barriers may influence parents of adolescents with T1DM as they transition to becoming the parent of a college-bound youth with T1DM. The parental transition of launching their youth to college is more complex and unique for parents of youth with T1DM parents of youth without chronic conditions. Additional research focusing on the identification of desired supports for parents and the development of specific interventions to assist parents as they transition with their college-bound youth with T1DM is recommended.
Keywords: College; Parents; Transition; Type 1 diabetes.