Integrating Illness Management Into Identity Verification Processes

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Medical Sociology
• Social Psychology of Health

Background:

• Individuals with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) often face challenges balancing self-presentation with their health management needs.
• Social identity and self-presentation can be impacted by the visible or invisible symptoms and daily management routines associated with diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how individuals with T1D and T2D utilize illness management strategies to aid in self-presentation and identity verification.
• To identify instances where managing diabetes facilitates the performance of desired social identities.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with individuals living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).
• Analysis of interview data to understand the relationship between illness management, identity processes, and self-presentation.

Main Results:

• Respondents reported conflicts between diabetes symptoms/management and identity presentation.
• Illness management techniques were found to enable successful identity performance for some individuals.
• A process termed 'integrating' illness management into identity verification was highlighted, contrasting with previous findings of illness suppression.

Conclusions:

• Illness management can be actively used by individuals with diabetes as a tool for social identity verification and successful self-presentation.
• Access to diabetes management tools and education is crucial for supporting both physical health and social well-being.
• Further research should investigate how to best support individuals in integrating their health management with their social identities.