Diabetes Stigma and Psychosocial Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study
Kelsey B. Eitel, Alissa J. Roberts, Ralph D’Agostino, Catherine E. Barrett, Ronny A. Bell, Anna Bellatorre, Angelica Cristello, Dana Dabelea, Lawrence M. Dolan, Elizabeth T. Jensen, Angela D. Liese, Kristi Reynolds, Santica M. Marcovina, Catherine Pihoker- Advanced and Specialized Nursing
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Internal Medicine
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between diabetes stigma, socioeconomic status, psychosocial variables, and substance use in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This is a cross-sectional analysis of AYAs from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study who completed a survey on diabetes-related stigma, generating a total diabetes stigma score. Using multivariable modeling, stratified by diabetes type, we examined the relationship of diabetes stigma with variables of interest.
RESULTS
Of the 1,608 AYAs who completed the diabetes-related stigma survey, 78% had type 1 diabetes, and the mean age was 21.7 years. Higher diabetes stigma scores were associated with food insecurity (P = 0.001), disordered eating (P < 0.0001), depressive symptoms (P < 0.0001), and decreased health-related (P < 0.0001) and diabetes-specific quality of life (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes stigma is associated with food insecurity, disordered eating, and lower psychosocial well-being.