ARE THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF YOUNG INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC-PATIENTS AFFECTED BY THEIR CONDITION

In order to compare the social relationships of young adults with Type 1 diabetes with those of healthy controls, 80 young people aged 16-25 years were interviewed in-depth with a semi-structured questionnaire. Results demonstrated that subjects with diabetes had an equally high commitment to social arenas, but were significantly more likely to be socially isolated and were less likely to have very close relationship s. Subjects had more attitudinal constraints with regard to having clo se relationships, and were more likely to report a fear of intimacy. T hey were less likely to have children, and many voiced their concerns regarding the impact their diabetes might have on both marriage and fu ture parenthood. This study suggests that young adults with diabetes h ave more negative social experiences which may affect their feelings w ith regard to having close relationships. The absence of supportive re lationships may impact on diabetes management; however this has yet to be fully ascertained in a young adult population.