Background:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus requires adolescents’ autonomy to perform self-care.

Objective:

To analyze the process of developing autonomy for self-care in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methodology:

Descriptive-exploratory research with nine adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and interpreted using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

The process of developing autonomy in adolescents with diabetes begins with an interest in seeking knowledge about the disease and treatment, with the support of the social network, to gain the confidence in themselves to perform self-care. Obstacles to this process include difficulties in controlling diet, poor access to insulin therapy materials, and lack of safety in handling them.

Conclusion:

It is essential to help these adolescents develop autonomy for self-care so that they can overcome difficulties in managing diabetes and prevent complications that can compromise their quality of life and put a burden on the health system.

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