Social Experiences of Young Adults with Diabetes: A Qualitative Study on Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

This study aims to examine the individual and social experiences of individuals with diabetes, beginning from the pre-diagnosis period and extending throughout the course of the illness. Employing a qualitative research methodology, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with fifteen young participants diagnosed with diabetes. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that diabetes constitutes a complex experience that transcends its characterization as merely a metabolic disorder, profoundly impacting individuals’ self-perception, social relationships, and daily life practices. Participants' narratives illustrate stages such as the misinterpretation of symptoms prior to diagnosis, difficulties in accepting the illness following diagnosis, and the gradual adaptation to living with the disease. It was identified that young individuals with diabetes interpret obligatory lifestyle changes—such as dietary restrictions and the requirement for regular physical activity—both as a disadvantage and as a "compulsory health opportunity." Moreover, concerns such as fear of isolation and feeling different in social environments emerged as common experiences among participants. The attitude of the social environment appears as a critical factor in diabetes management; a supportive environment facilitates treatment adherence, whereas negative attitudes may lead to social withdrawal and poor treatment compliance. This research underscores that effective diabetes care must address not only the physiological but also the social dimensions of the illness. Furthermore, the study’s findings render visible the broader societal context within which the experience of diabetes is situated.

Keywords

• Diabetes experience
• young adults
• social relationships
• illness adaptation
• qualitative research

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences of Bartın University on February 18, 2025, with decision number 2025-SBB-0119.

Thanks

The authors have no acknowledgments to declare.

Genç Diyabetlilerin Sosyal Deneyimleri: Tip 1 Diyabetle Yaşamak Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Bu çalışma, diyabetli bireylerin tanı öncesinden başlayarak hastalık sürecindeki bireysel ve sosyal deneyimlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma metodolojisi kullanılarak, 15 diyabetli katılımcı ile yüz yüze derinlemesine mülakatlar gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler tematik analiz yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, diyabetin sadece metabolik bir hastalık olmaktan öte, bireylerin benlik algısını, sosyal ilişkilerini ve günlük yaşam pratiklerini etkileyen karmaşık bir deneyim olduğunu göstermektedir. Katılımcıların anlatıları, tanı öncesi semptomların yanlış anlaşılması, tanı sonrası hastalığı kabullenememe ve zamanla hastalığa alışma gibi aşamaları ortaya koymaktadır. Diyabetli genç bireylerin beslenme kısıtlamaları ve düzenli fiziksel aktivite gerekliliği gibi zorunlu yaşam tarzı değişikliklerini hem bir dezavantaj hem de "zorunlu sağlık fırsatı" olarak anlamlandırdıkları tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, yalnız kalma korkusu ve sosyal ortamlarda farklı hissetme gibi endişeler, katılımcıların ortak deneyimleri arasında yer almaktadır. Sosyal çevrenin tutumu, diyabet yönetiminde kritik bir faktör olarak öne çıkmaktadır; destekleyici bir çevre tedaviye uyumu kolaylaştırırken, olumsuz tutumlar içe kapanma ve tedavi uyumsuzluğuna yol açabilmektedir. Bu araştırma, etkili diyabet bakımının sadece fizyolojik değil, aynı zamanda sosyal boyutları da ele alması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır. Çalışmanın sonuçları ayrıca diyabet deneyiminin toplumsal bağlamını görünür kılmaktadır.

Keywords

• Diyabet deneyimi
• genç yetişkinler
• sosyal ilişkiler
• hastalığa uyum
• nitel araştırma

Supporting Institution

Bulunmuyor.

Ethical Statement

Bartın Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Etik Kurulu'ndan 18.02.2025 tarih ve 2025-SBB-0119 sayı ile etik kurul onayı alınmıştır.

Thanks

Bulunmuyor.

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