Self-Management Styles of Thai Adolescents with Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The rising costs associated with the increased prevalence and earlier ages at which chronic conditions develop have led to growing emphasis on self-management.  This includes changes in diet and physical activity to reduce the progress from pre-diabetes to diabetes, and behavioral modification and adherence to medication when diabetes is already established. We explore the patterns of self-management among young people. Sixteen participants (aged 12-19) diagnosed with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, and their primary caregivers, were recruited from the three selected hospitals in Bangkok. We used in-depth interviews for data collection. Based on thematic analysis, we suggest that two illness management styles – “thriving” and “accommodating” – resulted in improved health outcomes. Two other illness management styles – “indulging” and “indifferent” - worsened blood glucose levels and had little impact on body weight. Demographic and psychosocial factors, including health beliefs, self-efficacy of self-care, health-related motivation, and social support, affected adolescents in the four different patterns.