Understanding Young Adult’s Adjusting to Diabetes Management Behavior: Multi-Methods Approach

Background: Young adults living with diabetes experience unique challenges related to their developmental stage. A number of variables, including illness perception, social support and meaning in life influence their adjusting to diabetes management behaviour. Although managing diabetes is a challenge to most young adults, this study proposed studying those who does manage diabetes well to get a better understanding of the processes involved. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and understand how developmentally appropriate challenges and psychological health variables play a role in diabetes self-management of young adults living with well-controlled type 1 diabetes in South Africa. Design: This study employed an exploratory, multi-methods design with an overall qualitative, quantitative (QUAL – quant) research approach. Setting: Specialised centres for diabetes care were used. Participants: Six (6) young adults, aged 19 – 25 years, with well-controlled type 1 diabetes took part in this study. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Data were coded using ATLAS.ti. Through an iterative process, major themes emerged from the data. Self-report questionnaires were used to quantify inter-relationships in thematic data. Results: Diabetes management behaviours were found to be compromised by the young adult's challenges towards establishing an autonomous identity, experiences of emotional distress as well as frustration pertaining to diabetes treatment plans and experience of social support received by family and friends. Conclusions: Seeking a new normal lifestyle incorporating diabetes management behaviours was the most significant contributor to engage in a meaning-making process