Background: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that requires lifelong insulin therapy. Self-care is a crucial component of disease management, encompassing insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring. The nursing profession is characterized by a responsibility for providing care grounded in education and support. The nurse’s role in delivering care is of significant importance in supporting young adults’ self-care management.

Purpose: To describe young adults experiences of selfcare with diabetes type 1.

Method: A general literature review based on ten articles with a qualitative approach, analyzed using Braund and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis.

Result: Three themes and five themes were identified. Challenges of having diabetes type 1 as a young adult highlight the interaction between the transition to adulthood and the challenges of living with diabetes. The meaning of support illustrates how the surrounding environment and healthcare professionals influence the management of self-care. Challenges of self-care highlight experiences related to handling technical aids and taking on new responsibilities.

Conclusions: Adolescents diagnosed with diabetes type 1 experiences both emotional and physical challenges with their selfcare. For adolescents diagnosed with diabetes type 1, self care is a central part of daily life. The challenges described could in some cases lead to neglecting their self-care. Support from the environment around the young adult is seen as an important part of the self-care management, aswell as support from nurses. Nurses need to work and be educated based on a person-centred approach in order to promote participation and health among adolescents with type 1 diabetes.