The clinical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic concerns of urban youth living with diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
Young people with chronic diseases face the challenge of moving from the pediatric to the adult health care environment, in addition to the normal hurdles of young adulthood. To most effectively help them through this process, we must first understand their perspective.


METHODS
Qualitative study of the social and emotional impact of having diabetes.


METHODS
Young adults (n=23), aged 19-26, who had been living with diabetes for a median of 12 years (range 4-19) were contacted; all but one were from underserved ethnic minorities.


METHODS
Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted, transcribed, and coded.


RESULTS
Having diabetes profoundly affected the life choices and expectations of these young people; their feelings and attitudes evolved over time. Financial and insurance concerns were key, because managing diabetes care on one's own as an adult was a major challenge. Most young people reported that family, friends, and coworkers were sources of support, but that disclosure of their diabetes was problematic.


CONCLUSIONS
Offering emotional and practical support to young adults coping with diabetes is key to ensuring adequate medical management as they move into the adult system and assume full responsibility for their health.
Gee
Leslie
L
Children's Hospital of Oakland, Oakland, California, USA. lipton@uchicago.edu
Smith
Tracie L
TL
Solomon
Marla
M
Quinn
Michael T
MT
Lipton
Rebecca B
RB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002641:Chicago; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*