Education and employment experiences in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Educational attainment, employment experiences, and self-esteem were measured using semi-structured questionnaires in young adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and in a group of age/sex matched healthy controls. Results showed that subjects with diabetes and their matched controls obtained comparable qualifications at all levels. However, subjects with diabetes were less likely to feel competent with regard to their educational performance, and many of this group reported experiencing difficulties at school. There were no differences in the proportion of each group who had experienced unemployment, although this was explained more by social class and educational attainment. Whereas only a minority had decided to withhold information about their condition from their employers, one-third of those with diabetes had experienced health-related problems in obtaining employment. This study suggests that the educational achievements and employment experiences of young adults with diabetes may not differ from those of healthy controls. However subjective reports of difficulties in these areas may be associated with reduced self-esteem. Confirmation of these findings should be carried out in a larger sample, using a prospective design.