Illness Identity in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (IID-T1D) V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Shaped by Connections: Exploring How Social Influences Shape Illness Identity in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes – A Qualitative Study
IRAS ID
355149
Contact name
Ella Dowling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 28 days
Research summary
Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) can shape how young people think and feel about themselves. This study explores how adolescents with T1D make sense of their condition as part of their identity and how social relationships with family, friends, online peers, healthcare professionals may influence this process.
We know that the way a young person views and relates to their diabetes - what we call their “illness identity” - can affect how well they manage their condition, their emotional wellbeing, and their health in general. But we don’t fully understand how this identity is formed, or how social support and pressure might shape it.
To explore this, we will interview around 12 to 15 young people aged 13 to 17 who have been diagnosed with T1D for at least one year. These one-off interviews will be held online and last around 45 to 60 minutes. Participants will be invited to share their experiences of growing up with diabetes and how the people around them including their family, friends, teachers, doctors, or online communities - have helped or challenged how they see or identify with their condition.
The interviews will be recorded (audio only), anonymised, and analysed to look for common themes. The findings will help us understand how young people with T1D build a sense of who they are, and how support from others can make a difference. We hope this will lead to better support strategies for families, schools, and healthcare teams.
This project is being run by a trainee clinical psychologist from the University of Surrey, supported by paediatric diabetes teams at University College London Hospital (UCLH) and St George’s Hospital, and in collaboration with diabetes charities including Breakthrough T1D and Diabetes UK.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0187
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion