Identity formation, online resources, and young adults with type one diabetes mellitus : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Date
2011
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Massey University
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Abstract
One of the fundamental processes of transitioning from being a teenager to a young
emerging adult is the construction of a gendered identity. For a young emerging adult
who has been diagnosed with type one diabetes mellitus, an extra layer of complexity
has been added to this task. Previous research has found there to be a paucity of
information about the interactions between type one diabetes mellitus and gendered
identity formation, especially in the young emerging adult population in New Zealand.
This study considered how living with type one diabetes mellitus influenced a young
adult’s gendered identity construction, and how this identity is portrayed and shaped
through the use of social networking internet sites. It also investigates what
information is readily available online about type one diabetes mellitus for this
population, and whether it mirrors their experiences. Interviews with six young New
Zealand adults who had a diagnosis of type one diabetes mellitus were carried out, and
four media articles about type one diabetes mellitus were accessed online. A
grounded theory analysis was performed using a constant comparison approach. This
resulted in a framework which explained how control over the chronic condition is the
most important factor for the participants’ identity formation, and how gender issues,
support from others and being supportive of others, perceptions of others, and the
restrictions type one diabetes creates feeds into this sense of control. It also explained
how social networking sites, a now popular mode of internet socialising, are an
important mode of socialising and accessing non-type one diabetic support for the
individuals studied. If a young adult has control over their condition, they are able to
confidently incorporate it into their identity and be happier and healthier as a result.
Insight into how this population manages their identity construction whilst
incorporating their diagnosis, and also how social networking sites are utilised by this
population, has implications for the provision of care by health professionals.
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Keywords
Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes, Identity formation, Youth, Young adults, Gender identity, Online social networks, Online resources, Teenagers, New Zealand, Social networking online