This study aimed to identify the coping strategies used by adolescents in his/her experience of having diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM 1). The research is a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study. The Symbolic Interactionism and Ways of Coping Questionnaire were chosen as the theoretical frameworks and the Grounded Theory as the methodological one. Data were collected with 10 adolescents, 12 to 18 years-old, with DM1, diagnosed at least a year before. The coping strategies identified belong to the following scales of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire: Distancing, Escape-Avoidance, Social Support, Accepting Responsibility, Solving Problem and Positive Reappraisal. The identification of the adolescent's coping strategies will enable nurses to propose interventions that really help the adolescent to live better with the illness.
Adolescent; Diabetes mellitus; Adaptation; Pediatric nursing