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Analysis of social networks supporting the self-management of type 2 diabetes for people with mental illness

Analysis of social networks supporting the self-management of type 2 diabetes for people with mental illness
Analysis of social networks supporting the self-management of type 2 diabetes for people with mental illness
Background

People with mental illness have been identified as being more likely to experience type 2 diabetes and the complications arising from this, necessitating more complex chronic illness self-management. Social support has been identified as a significant factor in the successful adoption of lifestyle change for people with type 2 diabetes, however people with mental illness often have impoverished social networks leading to greater reliance upon professional care givers. This study maps the support provided by formal (paid and professional carers) and informal networks to people with mental illness and type 2 diabetes, comparing the experiences of people with a spouse with those without one.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 29 clients of a community nursing service with mental health problems who receive professional support to self-manage type 2 diabetes. Participants were asked to complete an egocentric social network map which involved mapping the people and services who support them to manage their health. Demographic data was collected as was data about co-morbidities and service use within the last 6 months. Network maps were supplemented by a series of open-ended questions about self-management practices, who supports these practices and what support they provide.

Results

Participants identified small social networks with few friendship ties. These networks had diminished due to illness. For people with a spouse, this person provided significant support for chronic illness self-management performing a range of daily care and illness management tasks. People without a spouse were more reliant on professional and paid care givers for daily care and illness management. People without a spouse also demonstrated greater reliance upon weak social ties for emotional support and social connection and often developed friendships with formal caregivers.

Conclusions

Spousal support reduces the need for professional services. In the absence of a spouse, participants were more reliant upon paid and professional carers and weaker social ties for chronic illness support and social connection leading to greater vulnerability of loss of support.
chronic illness self-management, social networks, mental health, type 2 diabetes, health services
1472-6963
1-12
Crotty, Mikaila M.
e156c029-9835-4385-a449-a3517779cdf4
Henderson, Julie
f9b127ba-d114-4ced-94e8-84889048a811
Ward, Paul R.
c85a93ff-184b-4eeb-bd96-7210507e321a
Fuller, Jeffrey
a0ee107c-990e-48c6-899a-6dcae62ecd2c
Rogers, Anne
105eeebc-1899-4850-950e-385a51738eb7
Kralik, Debbie
359f2b47-4276-4b34-a6ec-068a6929c980
Gregory, Sue
d60be9a3-68dc-48c6-b003-6ac49ca0ab93
Crotty, Mikaila M.
e156c029-9835-4385-a449-a3517779cdf4
Henderson, Julie
f9b127ba-d114-4ced-94e8-84889048a811
Ward, Paul R.
c85a93ff-184b-4eeb-bd96-7210507e321a
Fuller, Jeffrey
a0ee107c-990e-48c6-899a-6dcae62ecd2c
Rogers, Anne
105eeebc-1899-4850-950e-385a51738eb7
Kralik, Debbie
359f2b47-4276-4b34-a6ec-068a6929c980
Gregory, Sue
d60be9a3-68dc-48c6-b003-6ac49ca0ab93

Crotty, Mikaila M., Henderson, Julie, Ward, Paul R., Fuller, Jeffrey, Rogers, Anne, Kralik, Debbie and Gregory, Sue (2015) Analysis of social networks supporting the self-management of type 2 diabetes for people with mental illness. BMC Health Services Research, 15 (1), 1-12. (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0897-x). (PMID:26138825)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background

People with mental illness have been identified as being more likely to experience type 2 diabetes and the complications arising from this, necessitating more complex chronic illness self-management. Social support has been identified as a significant factor in the successful adoption of lifestyle change for people with type 2 diabetes, however people with mental illness often have impoverished social networks leading to greater reliance upon professional care givers. This study maps the support provided by formal (paid and professional carers) and informal networks to people with mental illness and type 2 diabetes, comparing the experiences of people with a spouse with those without one.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 29 clients of a community nursing service with mental health problems who receive professional support to self-manage type 2 diabetes. Participants were asked to complete an egocentric social network map which involved mapping the people and services who support them to manage their health. Demographic data was collected as was data about co-morbidities and service use within the last 6 months. Network maps were supplemented by a series of open-ended questions about self-management practices, who supports these practices and what support they provide.

Results

Participants identified small social networks with few friendship ties. These networks had diminished due to illness. For people with a spouse, this person provided significant support for chronic illness self-management performing a range of daily care and illness management tasks. People without a spouse were more reliant on professional and paid care givers for daily care and illness management. People without a spouse also demonstrated greater reliance upon weak social ties for emotional support and social connection and often developed friendships with formal caregivers.

Conclusions

Spousal support reduces the need for professional services. In the absence of a spouse, participants were more reliant upon paid and professional carers and weaker social ties for chronic illness support and social connection leading to greater vulnerability of loss of support.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 29 May 2015
Published date: 4 July 2015
Keywords: chronic illness self-management, social networks, mental health, type 2 diabetes, health services
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 379511
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/379511
ISSN: 1472-6963
PURE UUID: 69e38f35-3e2e-4703-a1a9-a55a60b16237

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Date deposited: 03 Aug 2015 11:16
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 20:43

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Contributors

Author: Mikaila M. Crotty
Author: Julie Henderson
Author: Paul R. Ward
Author: Jeffrey Fuller
Author: Anne Rogers
Author: Debbie Kralik
Author: Sue Gregory

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