Exploring Psychosocial Burdens of Diabetes in Pregnancy and the Feasibility of Technology-Based Support: Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus impose psychosocial burdens on pregnant individuals. As there is less evidence about the experience and management of psychosocial burdens of diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, we sought to identify these psychosocial burdens and understand how a novel smartphone app may alleviate them. The app was designed to provide supportive, educational, motivational, and logistical support content, delivered through interactive messages.

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the qualitative data generated in a feasibility randomized controlled trial of a novel mobile app designed to promote self-management skills, motivate healthy behaviors, and inform low-income pregnant individuals with diabetes.

Methods: Individuals receiving routine clinical care at a single, large academic medical center in Chicago, Illinois were randomized to use of the SweetMama app (n=30) or usual care (n=10) from diagnosis of diabetes until 6 weeks post partum. All individuals completed exit interviews at delivery about their experience of having diabetes during pregnancy. Interviews were guided by a semistructured interview guide and were conducted by a single interviewer extensively trained in empathic, culturally sensitive qualitative interviewing of pregnant and postpartum people. SweetMama users were also queried about their perspectives on the app. Interview data were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Data were analyzed by 2 researchers independently using grounded theory constant comparative techniques.

Results: Of the 40 participants, the majority had gestational diabetes mellitus (n=25, 63%), publicly funded prenatal care (n=33, 83%), and identified as non-Hispanic Black (n=25, 63%) or Hispanic (n=14, 35%). Participants identified multiple psychosocial burdens, including challenges taking action, negative affectivity regarding diagnosis, diet guilt, difficulties managing other responsibilities, and reluctance to use insulin. External factors, such as taking care of children or navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, affected participant self-perception and motivation to adhere to clinical recommendations. SweetMama participants largely agreed that the use of the app helped mitigate these burdens by enhancing self-efficacy, capitalizing on external motivation, validating efforts, maintaining medical nutrition therapy, extending clinical care, and building a sense of community. Participants expressed that SweetMama supported the goals they established with their clinical team and helped them harness motivating factors for self-care.

Conclusions: Psychosocial burdens of diabetes during pregnancy present challenges with diabetes self-management. Mobile health support may be an effective tool to provide motivation, behavioral cues, and access to educational and social network resources to alleviate psychosocial burdens during pregnancy. Future incorporation of machine learning and language processing models in the app may provide further personalization of recommendations and education for individuals with DM during pregnancy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03240874; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03240874.