Daily Life with Type 1 Diabetes from the Perspectives of Young Adults and Their Close Relatives

Abstract

The aim of this study was to enhance a deeper understanding of daily life as experienced by young adults with Type 1 Diabetes and their close relatives. Young adulthood is commonly considered as an amendment to adult roles. Increased responsibility, such as a long-term illness in young adulthood, might lead to increased stress and anxiety. Type 1 Diabetes involves large obligations related to self-care, and close relatives might play an important role in managing daily life. A hermeneutic study involving interviews with a narrative approach with couples. The hermeneutic analysis revealed that T1D is always unconditionally present in daily life for young adults and their close relatives. Close relatives are important supporters, they have an understanding based on sharing daily life with the young adults with T1D. Young adults and their close relatives highlighted the experiences of being questioned, which in turn threatens the young adults' integrity.

Young Adults Living with Type 1 Diabetes Experience of Other Persons Reception

“…Young adults and their close relatives experience T1D as an always-present actuator in daily life. Despite this, young adults try to live as normally as possible with the illness [4]. Abdoli et al [5] stated that young adults with T1D struggle to grow and take on more responsibility of diabetes management.…”