Problem

Despite advances in diabetes technology, many adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) cannot achieve target metabolic control. Resilience is associated with better outcomes in diabetes care. The aim of this review is to synthesize studies on resilience in adolescents with T1D, particularly how the concept of resilience has been explored.

Methods

This integrative review was carried out according to Whittemore and Knafl's framework. A systematic search was conducted in the CINAHL, PubMed/Medline and PsycInfo databases. Eligibility criteria included studies on resilience in adolescents with T1D, aged 13 to 18 years, that were published in English in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess study quality.

Results

The review included twenty-four studies. Resilience was defined as the ability or capacity, or the process, to maintain physical and psychological well-being despite exposure to significant stressors or distress events. Diabetes resilience was defined as achieving positive psychosocial and health outcomes despite the challenges of living with T1D. Studies were quantitative (n = 21), qualitative (n = 1) and mixed methods (n = 2). Six resilience instruments were found. The DSTAR-Teen was the most used and the only instrument for adolescents with T1D.

Conclusions

This review highlighted the need for an explicit definition of the concept of resilience because previous studies used different definitions or lacked a definition. In the future, a more precise concept analysis of resilience in adolescents with T1D is warranted.

Implications

The DSTAR-Teen is a promising resilience measure with good psychometric properties for further studies in adolescents with T1D.