# Peer i-Coaching for Activated Self-management Optimization in Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Conditions

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $613,061

## Abstract

Project Summary
Increases in life expectancy in almost all childhood-onset chronic conditions has brought unique
challenges for adolescents and young adults (AYA) who struggle to deal with the associated
disease burden, manage therapies, and thrive as they develop independent self-management
skills, and become active and engaged patients. The challenges that influence the lives of
AYAs are largely adaptive, such as making lifestyle modifications, adhering to complex
medication regimens, and learning to navigate the adult health system. Adding to this
complexity is the need for AYAs to progressively take over greater self-management
responsibilities from parents. Promoting activated self-management is critically important given
that this shift in health care management from parents and health care providers to the AYA is
identified as key to successful adult outcomes. Peer support interventions are well-suited to
address challenges theorized as critical to AYAs given the importance of peer relationships
during this time. We propose a mixed-methods, five-year randomized controlled trial, that will
include 225 AYAs (16-22 years) with COCCs, to test the Peer i-Coaching for Activated Self-
Management Optimization (PICASO) versus an attention control group. This novel, mobile
health intervention utilizes an established telephone/text based secure interface to allow AYAs
access knowledge, experience, and instrumental/emotional support from a trained peer coach
(18-26 years), who has already developed independence and is an active self-manager. We
will determine the efficacy of the PICASO on self-management/health care navigation, patient
activation, coping, emotional health and health-related quality of life across 12 months. We will
explore whether age, sex, race/ethnicity, chronic condition, and/or disease severity moderate
the trajectory of PICASO effects on self-management, patient activation, coping, emotional
health and health-related quality of life. Lastly, we will explore mechanisms of the PICASO
impact by describing AYA experiences with the intervention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9922359
- **Project number:** 5R01NR018379-02
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharron L Docherty
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $613,061
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-26 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9922359

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9922359, Peer i-Coaching for Activated Self-management Optimization in Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Conditions (5R01NR018379-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9922359. Licensed CC0.

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