Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Jan 2;23(1):2.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-09002-1.

"They go hand in hand": a patient-oriented, qualitative descriptive study on the interconnectedness between chronic health and mental health conditions in transition-age youth

Brooke Allemang  1 , Susan Samuel  2 , Karina Pintson  3 , Megan Patton  2 , Katelyn Greer  3 , Marcela Farias  3 , Keighley Schofield  3 , Kathleen C Sitter  3 , Scott B Patten  4   5 , Andrew S Mackie  6 , Gina Dimitropoulos  3   4
Affiliations

"They go hand in hand": a patient-oriented, qualitative descriptive study on the interconnectedness between chronic health and mental health conditions in transition-age youth

Brooke Allemang et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: Transition-age youth (TAY) with chronic health conditions frequently experience co-occurring mental health conditions. However, little is known about the perspectives of TAY with co-occurring diagnoses preparing to exit pediatric health and mental health services. Research is needed to understand the impact of a mental health condition on transition readiness and self-management in TAY with chronic health conditions.

Methods: TAY (aged 16-20 years) with co-occurring chronic health and mental health conditions were recruited in Alberta, Canada. Nine semi-structured individual interviews were completed by phone or videoconference, and transcribed verbatim. Guided by qualitative description, we analyzed the data using thematic analysis in partnership with five young adults with lived experience in the health/mental health systems.

Results: Participants shared their experiences living with simultaneous physical and mental health concerns and preparing for transition to adult care. Our analysis revealed three overarching themes: 1) "they're intertwined": connections between chronic health and mental health conditions in TAY, 2) impact of mental health on transition readiness and self-management, and 3) recommendations for service provision from the perspectives of TAY.

Conclusions: Our findings highlighted the myriad ways in which physical and mental health are connected as TAY prepare for service transitions using specific examples and powerful metaphors. TAY endorsed the importance of providers discussing these connections in routine clinical care. Future research should involve co-designing and evaluating educational material addressing this topic with diverse TAY, caregivers, and service providers.

Keywords: Chronic health condition; Mental health; Qualitative; Transition readiness; Transition to adult care; Youth.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Young Adult Research Partner (YARP) flow of engagement
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Impact of mental health conditions on transition readiness in transition-age youth with chronic health conditions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Findlay L. Depression and suicidal ideation among Canadians aged 15 to 24. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82–003-X. Health Reports. 2017;28(1):3–11. - PubMed
    1. Nguyen CT, Fournier L, Bergeron L, Roberge P, Barrette G. Correlates of depressive and anxiety disorders among young Canadians. Can J Psychiatry. 2005;50(10):620–628. doi: 10.1177/070674370505001008. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Kewalramani A, Bollinger ME, Postolache TT. Asthma and mood disorders. Int J Child Health Hum Dev. 2008;1:115–123. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kovacs M, Goldston D, Obrosky DS, Bonar LK. Psychiatric disorders in youths with IDDM: rates and risk factors. Diabetes Care. 1997;20:36–44. doi: 10.2337/diacare.20.1.36. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Secinti E, Thompson EJ, Richards M, Gaysina D. Research Review: Childhood chronic physical illness and adult emotional health - a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(7):753–769. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12727. - DOI - PubMed