Work

Type 1 diabetes stigma: A UK survey of adults living with type 1 diabetes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: Type 1 diabetes stigma (T1D-stigma) refers to negative social judgement towards people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is linked to poorer psychological well-being and suboptimal diabetes self management. This observational study aimed to explore sociodemographic, diabetes health and well-being factors linked to high stigma scores to inform future, targeted intervention studies. METHODS: UK-based adults (aged ≥18 years) with T1D completed an online survey comprising sociodemographic and diabetes health questions, wellbeing measures for anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale: GAD-7), diabetes impact (Impact of Diabetes Profile: DIDP) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ-9) and the Type 1 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-1). Potential relationships between sociodemographic, diabetes health and well-being factors and DSAS-1 score were identified by univariate regression and the independence of significant (p < 0.05) relationships was explored in multivariable regression. RESULTS: Of 438 participants, 96% endorsed one or more items on the DSAS-1. In multivariable regression, age (β = -0.136, p = 0.006), sex (β = 0.114, p = 0.006), BMI (β = 0.112, p = 0.023), insulin pump use (β = 0.108, p = 0.015), DIDP score (β = 0.211, p = <0.001), GAD-7 score (β = 0.192, p = 0.002) and PHQ-9 score (β = 0.195, p = 0.002) predicted DSAS-1 score. Ethnicity did not predict DSAS-1 score, nor did age at diagnosis or number of severe hypoglycaemia episodes. CONCLUSION: Most participants reported at least one instance of T1D-stigma. High DSAS-1 scores in the United Kingdom were predicted by younger age, being a woman, higher BMI, insulin pump use, higher diabetes impact and anxiety and depression scores. Future studies should further explore the impact of T1D-stigma within these groups to tailor appropriate interventions.

Source: Diabetic Medicine

DOI: 10.1111/dme.70365