Perceptions of type 2 diabetes self-management among middle-aged adults

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness that impacts people of all socioeconomic statuses and other background characteristics. Diabetes incidence increases with age, and older adults above the age of 65 years old are especially more vulnerable to diabetes-related complications. Middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes should implement self-management habits that prevent or delay these complications. Diabetes requires consistent and precise self-management that includes medication, diet, exercise, and blood sugar tracking. People with type 2 diabetes must be knowledgeable of their conditions, have adequate access to healthcare, integrate their diabetes within their identity, and cope with the distress that diabetes can bring. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of self-management among middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes. This study was split into two phases, with insights from Phase 1 informing the methods used in Phase 2. Phase 2 also limited recruitment of participants to those without a bachelor’s degree, given the impact that a social determinant of health, such as educational attainment, can have on diabetes. The results of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 revealed that quantitative methods are not enough to capture the complex experiences of managing type 2 diabetes. The qualitative interviews provided additional insights into the self-management behaviors of individuals with diabetes. The findings also provided insights about the importance of personalized diabetes education that considers the different variables that can impact diabetes self-management.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Louis-Charles, Willencia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rogers, Wendy A.
• Hale, Timothy

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Middle-age
• Behavioral Health
• Socio-economic Status
• Educational Attainment

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Willencia Louis-Charles

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130174

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F130174