Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Cassandra Ferreira
Keywords
caregivers, diabetes, adolescence, coping, stress, transaction model of stress and coping
Disciplines
Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Doman, LaKeisha L., "Unveiling the Journey: A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Caregivers Raising an Adolescent with Diabetes" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8373.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8373
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe caregivers’ experiences raising a middle to late adolescent (ages 14 – 19) with diabetes in Virginia. The study focused on how caregivers perceive stress and develop coping skills while navigating the transition to independence. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study examined how caregivers appraised stress, evaluated available resources, and sustained engagement in their role. Ten primary caregivers in Virginia were recruited using purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews guided data collection. Data was analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Findings indicated that caregiving during adolescence is a complex and evolving process characterized by sustained responsibility rather than reduced involvement. Caregivers functioned as a safeguard, continuously monitoring risk while adjusting supervision based on behavior, medical need, and contextual factors. Emotional strain, logistical demands, and relationship challenges were embedded in daily life, especially as caregivers balanced safety and independence. Coping was adaptive and endurance-based, supported by routines, cognitive approaches, and social supports. Motivation was sustained through parental identity, meaning-making, and commitment to well-being. However, gaps in support required ongoing personal effort to sustain engagement. These findings extend existing research by highlighting caregiving as sustained engagement instead of stress resolution, underscoring the need for caregiver-centered supports that address emotional, relational, and systemic demands during adolescence.
