Experiences of Adolescents Living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Whilst Negotiating with the Society

By Gloria Tshabalala

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and how society perceives them. T1DM is a chronic condition characterized by abnormally high blood glucose due to lack of insulin production by the cells in the pancreas. The treatment is insulin injections or infusions, as there is no medical cure at the moment. More specifically, the study examined how the adolescents manage the illness and cope with the perception and stigmatization related to this condition. Despite the existence of research into living and coping with some chronic conditions, research on TIDM, particularly using qualitative methodologies, is limited. A review in literature also indicated insufficient studies on stigma associated with chronic conditions that have no overt symptoms.

In-depth interviews were conducted with nine diverse volunteers after obtaining informed consent (five females and four males).

The volunteers were aged between sixteen to nineteen years with a duration of diabetes at a minimum of two years since diagnosis. An analysis of interview results was based on ground theory methodology whereby many categories were generated. From these two core categories, which are assimilation and accommodation, stigmatization emerged. These represent the adolescents’ attempt to cope with the experience of living with TIDM and the views of society on this condition with no visible physical abnormalities. Parts of the implications of these findings confirm that medical model management needs to consider psychosocial aspects in order to facilitate adjustment to the chronic condition. Further qualitative research using a bigger sample over a longer period was recommended. The DAWN study (attitudes, wishes, and needs in diabetes) has since been carried out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728383811

Book preview

© 2019 Gloria Tshabalala. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/24/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8382-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8381-1 (e)

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Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Disease versus illness

1.2 Chronic illness

1.2.1 The concept of chronic illness

1.2.2 Methodology issues in chronic illness research

1.2.3 Responses to chronic illness

1.3 Social identity and self-concept in chronic illness

1.3.1 Identity control in chronic illness

1.4 The experience of stigma in chronic illness

1.4.1 Information disclosure

1.5 Coping with chronic illness

1.5.1 Coping through control

1.6 TIDM as a chronic illness

1.6.1 TIDM as a chronic disorder

1.6.2 The invisibility of TIDM

1.6.3 The causes and management of TIDM

1.7 The experience of stigma in TIDM

1.8 Methodological issues in TIDM research

1.9 Focus of current research

1.9.1 Research aims

1.9.2 Rationale

2. Method

2.1 The qualitative approach

2.1.1 Rationale for using qualitative method

2.2 Grounded theory

2.2.1 Grounded theory revised

2.3 Ethical issues

2.3.1 Ethical approval

2.3.2 Anonymity and confidentiality

2.4 Design

2.4.1 Sampling

2.4.2 Criteria for participation

2.4.3 Adolescents excluded from the study

2.4.4 Participants

2.4.5 Instruments

2.5 Qualitative data collection and analysis

2.5.1 Data collection

2.5.2 Data analysis

3. Results

3.1 Demography of participants

3.2 Interview extracts

4. Discussion

4.1 Self-identity

4.2 Experiences of living with TIDM

4.3 Stigma from health professionals

4.4 Social stigma

4.5 Validity of the study

4.5.1 Sense making/understanding

4.5.2 Strategies to control symptoms

4.5.3 Self-identity change

4.5.4 Invalidation/lack of belief

4.5.5 Social unacceptability of TIDM

4.5.6 Strategies of appearing normal

4.6 Reliability of the instrument

5. Conclusion

6. Implications of the study

7. Limitations of the study

8. Recommendations

9. References

Dedication

This book is dedicated to  my late parents, Emma and Chambers Nkabinde who showed me love, patience and resilience during hard times.

Acknowledgements

I have learned that writing a book is not an easy task because it needs support system. I would therefore like to express my sincerest gratitude to all those who supported me.

My Publisher, AuthorHouse for supporting me in every step especially Dorothy Lee who tirelessly gave me guidance using electronic media.

My children Nhlanhla, Lindiwe and Bongiwe for their encouragement and support. Bongiwe also helped with typing of the script.

Professor Geoff Gill, a Consultant Physician in Diabetes, Endocrinology and General Medicine who  guided and supported me in the early 1990s to publish papers on diabetes journals.

My colleague, Ones Oliveira who proof read the script and helped me to send it electronically to the Publisher.

I would like also like to thank Hillingdon Hospital Foundation Trust NH S and Diabeticare for allowing me to conduct the study.

I am very grateful to all the adolescents and their parents who allowed me to question them and for their genuine answers.

Many thanks to all those who guided and supported me during my personal and professional development.

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to explore the experiences of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM). This is a chronic condition characterised by abnormally high blood glucose brought on by lack of insulin, and it is treated with insulin injections as there is no medical cure. More specifically, the study examines how the sufferer manages the illness and copes with the perception of stigmatisation which is related to this condition. Despite the existence of research into living and coping with some chronic conditions, research on TIDM, particularly with the use of qualitative methodologies, is limited. A review of literature indicates that research on stigma associated with chronic illnesses, particularly those which are functional and invisible (i.e. in which the symptoms are not externally visible), is insufficient.

In-depth interviews were conducted with nine volunteers (five females and four males) who were aged between sixteen and nineteen years and had a diagnosis of TIDM for a minimum of two years. An analysis of the interviews was based on a grounded theory methodology whereby a number of categories were generated. From these, two core categories emerged: assimilation/accommodation and stigmatisation. These represent sufferers’ attempt to cope with the experience of TlDM and manage perceived stigmas associated with the unacceptability of the symptoms and invalidation (caused by lack of sympathy or belief by others as there are no physical abnormalities) of their condition.

Parts of the implications of these findings indicate that a departure from the medical model to one of management with consideration of psychosocial issues is important in facilitating sufferers’ adjustment to the chronic condition. Suggestions for further qualitative research into TlDM and