Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis.  Permission is given for 
a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and 
private study only.  The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without 
the permission of the Author. 
 
i 
 
 
 
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 
 
 
 
 
Anna Eileen Eady 
2011 
 
 
 
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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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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
 
I would like to acknowledge and thank people whose support, encouragement and 
help enabled me to complete this research project. 
 
Firstly, a big thank you to my supervisor Dr. Antonia Lyons of Massey University, 
Wellington, for her encouragement, advice, and guidance throughout this research. 
 
I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the six people who consented to 
participate in this study, and whose contribution to this project enabled me to carry 
out this research, and complete my degree. 
 
Finally, a big thank you to my wonderful husband Paul for his patience, love and 
support; and to my friends and family, whose best wishes and prayers helped me 
when I needed them most. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Title Page          i 
Acknowledgements         ii 
Abstract          iii 
Table of Contents         iv 
List of Tables and Figures        v 
Chapter One: Type One Diabetes Mellitus and Young Emerging Adults  1 
 Type One Diabetes Mellitus Defined      1  
 Confusion Between Type One Diabetes Mellitus and Type Two  
  Diabetes Mellitus        2 
 Therapeutic Recommendations       3 
 Incidence and Government Approach      3 
 Young Emerging Adults and Management in Daily Life    5 
 Family Impact         6 
 Summary          7 
Chapter Two: Young Emerging Adults Living with Type One Diabetes Mellitus 9 
 Chronic Illness and Identity       9 
 Gendered Identity        12 
 Support          16 
 Social Networking Sites        18 
 Research Objectives and Aims       23 
Chapter Three: Methodology        25 
 Social Constructionism        25 
 Qualitative Approach        26 
 Grounded Theory            27 
 The Current Study           28 
  Research Process and Changes in Design     28 
  Interviews         29 
  Participants        30 
  Procedure         31 
 Ethical Considerations        32 
  Informed Consent        32 
v 
 
  Confidentiality/Anonymity           32 
  Ethics Committee Approval        32 
 The Online Media Texts        33 
 Analysis          34 
 Researcher Reflexivity        35 
Chapter Four: Results         37 
 Data Results         37 
  Control         39 
  Support         45 
  Perceptions of Others       52 
  Gender Issues        54 
  Restrictions              55 
  Social Networking Site Use        61 
 Summary          64 
Chapter Five: Discussion        68 
 Implications for Young Emerging Adults Diagnosed with Type One     
 Diabetes Mellitus              73 
 Implications for Health Providers      73 
 Future Research         74 
 Limitations             75 
Conclusion          76 
References          77 
Appendices          83 
 Appendix A: Interview Schedule       83 
 Appendix B: Information Sheet       85 
 Appendix C: Informed Consent Form      87 
 Appendix D: Transcription Notation Guide     88 
 Appendix E: Advertisement for the Recruitment of Participants       89 
 Appendix F: Emailed Demographic Questionnaire    90 
 Appendix G: Transcript Release Authority Form           91 
 Appendix H: Ethics Committee Approvals     92 
 Appendix I: Online Media Articles      95 
vi 
 
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 
Table 1: Participant Demographics       31 
 
Figure 1: A framework of Gendered Identity Construction in Young Emerging Adults  
         With Type One Diabetes Mellitus        38