Identity with Diabetes: Unpacking an Overlooked but Essential Dimension of the Diabetes Experience

Identity is a fundamental, but understudied, aspect of the diabetes experience. Diabetes imposes many life changes, which likely impact self-perception. The current review explores the concept of identity with diabetes, implications for health, and processes to facilitate a positive identity.

Identity with diabetes has been explored as a dimension, process, and outcome. Research suggests the degree to which people integrate diabetes into identity is associated with diabetes self-management behaviors and psychosocial functioning, but glycemic outcomes are inconsistent. There is potential to support positive incorporation of diabetes into identity by targeting the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social implications of diabetes on the self. The current literature on diabetes identity is limited and varies in its conceptualization but consistently supports the need to positively integrate diabetes into identity to support health and well-being. Future research and practice should consider diabetes identity in order to understand and enhance the experiences of people with diabetes.