Social support effects on diabetes management by South African emerging adults: A replication and extension study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and describe the role of social support in successful living with type 1 diabetes. Informants were eight emerging adults with well-controlled type 1 diabetes (females = 5; white = 7, African = 1; mean time since diagnosis = 8.5 years, SD time since diagnosis = 6.23 years). They completed semi-structured interviews on their types and sources of social support for successful diabetes management. Thematic analysis of the data revealed important social support agents, which included family members, friends, and their healthcare professionals; as well as the social support mechanisms these individuals provided. Social support appeared to help the participants with diabetes management through facilitation of shared knowledge regarding management of type 1 diabetes, fostering a sense of belonging and companionship, and practical assistance with daily regimen tasks.

Keywords:

• diabetes mellitus
• type 1 diabetes
• effective diabetes management
• emerging adults
• social support