An Exploratory study of the Spectrum of Physiological, Psychological And Social Dynamics in Individuals with type 1 Diabetes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2025.v37i06.015Keywords:
Glycaemic Control, Anxiety, Diabetes Quality Of Life, Social Support, Type-1 Diabetes MellitusAbstract
Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) accounts for a small percentage of diabetes cases but affects millions worldwide. In addition to glycemic control, psychological and social factors influence T1D management, yet understanding of their combined effect on overall health and quality of life (QoL) is limited. Objective: To evaluate the combined impact of physiological, psychological & social factors affecting the health and quality of life of individuals with Type-1 diabetes. Methodology: Eighty-two individuals with T1D participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected via structured interviews and clinical assessments including anthropometry, laboratory tests, and validated questionnaires on mental health (PHQ-9), social support (DSSQ), and diabetes-specific QoL (MDQoL-17). Results: Participants (mean age 21.96±2.003 years; 76.8% male) had mean age at diagnosis 18.32±1.46 years. Most (68.29%) reported anxious related to insulin use or fear of hypoglycemia. The average QoL score was 67.25±12.88. Participants with low socioeconomic conditions, inadequate dietary practices, low physical activity, or diabetes complications had significantly lower QoL. Those with good glycemic control (HbA1c ?7%) had better QoL than those with poor control. Conclusion: Individuals with T1D face intertwined physiological, psychological, and social challenges. A holistic approach addressing glycemic control, psycological health, and social support may improve QoL and outcomes for people with T1D.
Downloads
References
International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium: 2021. . Accessed: 21.04.2025: https://idf.org/.
Kato A, Fujimaki Y, Fujimori S, et al.: The effectiveness of psychological interventions on mental health and glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetol Int. 2021, 12:227-43. 10.1007/s13340-021-00564-9
Mohammed Najeeb Ashraf, Cheng Y, Robinson DJ: Emotional, psychological, and social well-being experience of individuals living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study. Diabetes Ther. 2023, 14:231-45. 10.1007/s13300-023-01527-w
Psychological experiences and perceived social support of Indian mothers whose children are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. J Soc Health Behav. 2023, 6:123-9. 10.4103/shb.shb_37_23
Aarthy, Ramasamy, Mikocka, et al.: Quality of Life and Diabetes in India: A Scoping Review . J Family Med Prim Care. 2022, 11:892-900. 10.4103/ijem.ijem_336_21
Luo D, Cai X, Wang H, et al.: The role of peer social relationships in psychological distress and quality of life among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study. BMC Psychiatry. 2024, 24:270. 10.1186/s12888-024-05692-5
Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Al Saeed A, Alzaid AA: The Interrelationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Emotional Well-Being: A Narrative Review. Healthcare. 2024, 12:1457. 10.3390/healthcare12141457
Kumar N, Singh Y, Singh S, Rana V: Quality of Life of Type 1 Diabetic Indian Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Health Sci Res. 2020, 10:1-9.
La Greca AM, Bearman KJ: The diabetes social support questionnaire-family version: evaluating adolescents’ diabetes-specific support from family members. J Pediatr Psychol (Internet. 2002:665-76.
Prajapati VB, Blake R, Acharya LD, Seshadri S: Assessment of quality of life in type II diabetic patients using the modified diabetes quality of life (MDQoL)-17 questionnaire. Braz J Pharm Sci (Internet. 10.1590/s217597902017000417144
Strandberg RB, Graue M, Wentzel-Larsen T, Peyrot M, Rokne B: Relationships of diabetes-specific emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and overall well-being with HbA1c in adult persons with type 1 diabetes. J Psychosom Res. 2014, 77:174-179. 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.06.015
Gonder-Frederick L, Nyer M, Shepard JA, Vajda K, Clarke W: Assessing physical and cognitive symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetes using Ecological Momentary Assessment. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2011, 5:275-282. 10.2217/DMT.11.60.
Singh H, Raizada N, Bhansali A, Garg MK: Non-communicable disease comorbidities and their impact on quality of life in youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An. Indian perspective. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2021, 25:288-293.
Barnard KD, Skinner TC, Peveler R: The prevalence of co-morbid depression in adults with Type 1 Diabetes: systematic literature review. Diabet Med. 2006, 23:445-448. 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01814.x
Kalra S, Kalra B, Sharma A, et al.: Prevalence of psychosocial morbidity in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a survey from Northern India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016, 20:507-510. 10.4103/22308210.183480
Patel M, Patel K, Patel B, et al.: Psychosocial illness in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: prevalence, pattern and risk factors. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016, 10:01-04. 10.7860/JCDR/2016/21462.8605
Szigeti R, Hajnal Á, Kósa Z, et al.: The Relationship Between Quality of Life, Diabetes Distress, and Metabolic Control in Hungarian Type 1 Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Diabetology. 2023, 6:19. 10.3390/diabetology6030019
Joensen LE, Tapager I, Willaing I: Validation of the type 1 diabetes distress scale (T1-DDS) in a large Danish cohort: Content validation and psychometric properties. J Diabetes Investig. 2023, 14:508-517. 10.1111/jdi.13953
Sasidharanpillai S, Kumar A, Suresh S, et al.: Health-related quality of life in pediatric onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in Kerala, India. Pediatr Diabetes. 2020, 21:1426-1432. 10.1111/pedi.13085
Negrato CA, Gomes MB: Health-related quality of life in people with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: data from the Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2013, 11:66. 10.1186/1477-7525-11-66
Hietavala EM, Forsblom C, Harjutsalo V, et al.: Health-related quality of life in patients with type 1 diabetes —association with diabetic complications (the FinnDiane Study). Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2010, 25:19031908. 10.1093/ndt/gfp764
Manickam R, Prasad JH, Jacob KS: Social support and glycemic control among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in South India. Indian Pediatr. 2020, 57:515-519.
Singh K, Goyal R, Mahajan S: Lived experiences and social challenges of adolescents with T1D in urban India: a qualitative study. J Soc Health. 2023, 5:89-96.
Karademas EC, Tsalikou C, Tallarou MC: The impact of illness-related beliefs, perceived social support and sense of coherence on the quality of life of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. J Psychosom Res. 2009, 67:425-433. 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.03.012
Streisand R, Monaghan M, Young-Hyman D, et al.: Mental health and well-being among type 1 diabetes caregivers in India: Evidence from the IDREAM study. J Diabetes Complications. 2017, 31:1672-1677. 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2017.09.013
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2026 SUBHAJIT GIRI, Praveen Ganganahalli, Rekha Udgiri , Shailaja S. Patil

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.