Reasons for Open and Closed Attitudes Regarding Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Thirty-one adults with type 1 diabetes participated in this qualitative study to explore reasons why they were willing (had an open attitude) or unwilling (had a closed attitude) to disclose diabetes-related information to others. Participants (61.3% female, mean age 38.48 years, mean duration of diabetes 21.94 years, 100% white) answered open-ended questions about living with type 1 diabetes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded to identify major patterns that emerged in the data. Reasons for open attitudes included support from others, confidence and feeling comfortable, feeling normal despite diabetes, seeking to educate, and feeling that it was not a major concern to share information with others. Reasons for closed attitudes included fear of discrimination, misunderstanding from others, embarrassment and shame, and feeling that it was not a major concern to share information. A higher number of participants reported open attitudes after diagnosis than at initial diagnosis; a lower number of participants reported closed attitudes after diagnosis than at initial diagnosis. Professionals should consider effective forms of type 1 diabetes-related education to reduce diabetes misconceptions and discrimination against diagnosed individuals. This may help individuals feel more open and willing to adhere to and seek assistance with their diabetes-related self-care.

Patient Decision-Making About Self-Disclosure of a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study

“…This study builds on previous literature that identified the disclosure decision-making process for young adults living with type 1 diabetes (10)(11)(12)(13). With a focus on how patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes make disclosure decisions, this study extends previous literature that revealed barriers to disclosure for patients living with type 2 diabetes (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)24) to identify the decision-making process for disclosing their disease to others.…”

“…This act is different from disclosure as discussed in some medical and nursing literature, which conceptualizes disclosure as an "act of seeking care," referring to the sharing of information specifically with a health care professional or clinician (9). More frequently studied among young adults living with type 1 diabetes, diabetes disclosure is a strategy to engage in helpful social relationships (10,11). Young adults disclose their type 1 diabetes diagnosis in anticipation of the need for practical and emotional support and with the desire to normalize type 1 diabetes (12).…”

Determinants of healthful eating and physical activity among adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes in Qatar: A qualitative study

“…Non-attendance was associated with higher HbA1c [ 176 ] and with lower adherence to a healthy lifestyle [ 139 , 177 ]. Research suggests that young patients who are less inclined to disclose information regarding their diabetes are likely to be less adherent to diabetes management tasks and have a higher HbA1c [ 178 ]. Adolescents tend not to be open to talking about diabetes-related issues because of fear of discrimination and embarrassment.…”

Diabetes type 1 øker risiko for selvmord: Hva kan psykologen gjøre?

“…Thomas Joiners' interpersonlige teori om selvmord legger til grunn at følelsen av å vaere til byrde for andre og opplevelsen av manglende tilhørighet forsterker selvmordstanker og -atferd (Van Orden et al, 2010). DT1 er for mange nettopp en privat og ensom sykdom, og en del PMD kan vegre seg for å vaere åpen om sykdommen (Easler et al, 2018). Voksne med DT1 erfarer stigmatisering, inkludert negative sosiale antakelser og stereotypier fra omgivelsene, som diskriminering og utestenging i skole og arbeidsliv (Browne et al, 2014).…”