The Diabetes Mixer: Fostering a Diabetes Community to Support Peer Health

Abstract

Objective: Opportunities for individuals affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) to engage in peer health activities are limited. The Diabetes Mixer is a community-based, non-clinical, face-to-face, peer health event for adults with T1D and their support person. The purpose of this paper is to 1) provide a program description of the Diabetes Mixer, and 2) analyze attendee perceptions of the Diabetes Mixer. Research Design and Method:An analysis was conducted with Diabetes Mixer attendees to understand their perceptions of the event. Attendees included individuals with T1D and their support person. Surveys included quantitative and qualitative questions and were completed by attendees at the conclusion of the Diabetes Mixer. A descriptive analysis was conducted.Results: Both individuals with T1D and support persons valued the Diabetes Mixer as a peer health event. All attendees stated they would attend a future Diabetes Mixer. Attendees planned to continue their relationship with the individuals they met at the Diabetes Mixer beyond the event, in-person, and through social media. Three themes were identified: building a community, connection through common experiences, and a fun venue to gain resources. Conclusions:The Diabetes Mixer is a feasible, successful peer health event that provides education and support to individuals with T1D and their support person in a judgment-free atmosphere. Diabetes stakeholders should work together to develop peer-support resources for adults with T1D in non-clinical settings. Further research is needed to identify how interactions with peers can support diabetes management.

Understanding Social Support Programs for Individuals Living with Type 1 Diabetes: The Perspectives of Support Program Leaders

“…These results are consistent with other studies examining the perspective of a community-based SSP [24]. Attending SSPs have been shown to provide numerous benefits for individuals living with diabetes, including improved glycemic control and psychosocial functioning [23].…”

“…While there is less literature available on SSPs for individuals living with T1D, a 5-month SSP with weekly group meetings and guidance from a trained clinical psychologist decreased A1C and increased self-care activities among participants [23]. Additionally, a less formal community-based SSP for adults was evaluated and was well-received by attendees [24]. Outcomes from this SSP include building a community, forming connections due to the experience of living with T1D, and being an enjoyable environment to share resources [24].…”

“…Additionally, a less formal community-based SSP for adults was evaluated and was well-received by attendees [24]. Outcomes from this SSP include building a community, forming connections due to the experience of living with T1D, and being an enjoyable environment to share resources [24]. Social support may play a key role in T1D management by influencing underlying psychosocial variables such as self-efficacy and stress, or by influencing health behaviors related to diet and exercise [17].…”

Computer-Mediated Communication and Well-Being in the Age of Social Media: A Systematic Review

“…We restricted our focus to studies of overall well-being, excluding articles on specific domains, such as satisfaction with college (Powless, 2012) or workplace well-being (Grawitch et al, 2018). The exception to this rule was physical well-being, which often included assessments tied to particular health contexts, such as glycemic control (e.g., Litchman, 2016).…”

“…Likewise, using social media related positively to LGBTQ+ community members’ well-being via heightened perceived membership in groups related to their sexual identity and reduced stigma (Chong et al, 2015). In terms of people coping with medical issues, Litchman (2016) observed that more engagement in an online community corresponds with better glycemic control, an index of physical well-being. Several studies also reported the results of interventions that aided people’s ability to cope with specific medical conditions, especially the feelings of anxiety or depression surrounding those conditions (Garcia-Palacios et al, 2015; Hawkins et al, 2010; Li, 2017; P. Wang et al, 2017).…”