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We aimed to compare salient characteristics and antecedents of quality of life (QOL) in adolescents and young adults with implantable cardioverter–defibrillators (ICDs) from qualitative methods with quantitative measurement of QOL and correlations between QOL (PedsQL) and measured participant characteristics. Concurrent parallel mixed methods design was used to collect survey data from the PedsQL electronic health record, demographic questionnaire, and semistructured interview data. A convenience sample of 16 individuals with ICDs, aged 13 to 25 years, was obtained from a tertiary pediatric facility. Overall QOL and subdomains of physical, psychosocial, and academic/work were examined by PedsQL and visual analog scale. Select demographics were collected to develop a participant profile. Females with ICDs appear to be at risk of poor QOL given some unknown factors. Financial status of the individual and the family was positively related to QOL. For new ICD persons involved in physical activities that must be stopped, peer support appears to improve QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness affecting the entire family, scant literature exists in this area. This study’s purpose was to identify needs of family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes across cultures. Using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions, a convenience sample of 33 family caregivers of American Indians (n = 14), African Americans (n = 11), and Caucasians (n = 8) with type 2 diabetes were interviewed by telephone. Qualitative content analysis was conducted based on five pre-determined categories derived from an existing conceptual model. Results were similar across groups and provided support for the conceptual model with themes emerging within the five pre-determined categories: (a) information about type 2 diabetes, (b) managing emotions and behaviors, (c) physical care, (d) instrumental care, and (e) personal responses to caregiving. No additional themes emerged. Although small and exploratory, findings provide information that may be useful to the future development of culturally based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]