TY - JOUR

T1 - Schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes

T2 - Perceptions and understandings of illness management in everyday life

AU - Rønne, Sabrina Trappaud

AU - Joensen, Lene Eide

AU - Zabell, Vicki

AU - Arnfred, Sidse Marie

AU - Brown, Jennifer Valeska Elli

AU - Jørgensen, Rikke

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - People with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes face complex challenges in daily life and the management of both illnesses is burdensome. This qualitative interview study aimed to explore perceptions and understandings of the day-to-day management of schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted between January 2020 and October 2021 in the participants' respective mental health clinics, in their homes or by phone. Thematic analysis led to four themes representing participants' self-management strategies and perceived challenges. The first theme showed that participants use self-learned strategies for managing schizophrenia. In contrast, they perceived type 2 diabetes self-management as governed by a set of rules and guidelines given by health professionals. The second theme showed that both psychotic and negative symptoms present challenges to diabetes management. Theme 3 illustrated that participants consider their type 2 diabetes to be a very serious illness. They worried about potential long-term consequences and expressed wishes and motivation to improve their lifestyle. The final theme showed that participants discuss challenges related to their schizophrenia with family and friends but not type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of considering individual challenges and everyday routines when supporting this population. It underlines the need for future research to further explore the complexity of managing the illnesses and to understand the needs for treatment and support.

AB - People with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes face complex challenges in daily life and the management of both illnesses is burdensome. This qualitative interview study aimed to explore perceptions and understandings of the day-to-day management of schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted between January 2020 and October 2021 in the participants' respective mental health clinics, in their homes or by phone. Thematic analysis led to four themes representing participants' self-management strategies and perceived challenges. The first theme showed that participants use self-learned strategies for managing schizophrenia. In contrast, they perceived type 2 diabetes self-management as governed by a set of rules and guidelines given by health professionals. The second theme showed that both psychotic and negative symptoms present challenges to diabetes management. Theme 3 illustrated that participants consider their type 2 diabetes to be a very serious illness. They worried about potential long-term consequences and expressed wishes and motivation to improve their lifestyle. The final theme showed that participants discuss challenges related to their schizophrenia with family and friends but not type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of considering individual challenges and everyday routines when supporting this population. It underlines the need for future research to further explore the complexity of managing the illnesses and to understand the needs for treatment and support.

KW - diabetes mellitus, type 2

KW - interview

KW - mental illness

KW - qualitative research

KW - self-management

U2 - 10.1111/inm.13135

DO - 10.1111/inm.13135

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36825444

AN - SCOPUS:85148584518

VL - 32

SP - 893

EP - 903

JO - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

JF - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

SN - 1445-8330

IS - 3

ER -