Successful Adaptation to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2): A Qualitative Study *

Abstract

When diabetes unexpectedly enters someone’s life, it starts interfering with every aspect of life, requiring them to make adjustments, adapt and carefully manage their lifestyle. The objectives of this qualitative research were (a) understanding the patients’ perceptions about type 2 diabetes and (b) the process of successful adaptation. The study sample consisted of 47 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 37 to 65 years (mean = 55.44; standard deviation [SD] = 8.56). Among them, 23 (49%) were male and 24 (51%) were female. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule, which tapped information regarding demographics such as age, gender, timeline, educational qualification, and socio-economic status. The semi-structured interview schedule also comprised open-ended questions related to the meaning of diabetes, cognitive and emotional reactions, and appropriate actions for adapting to diabetes. Thematic analysis was performed to analyse and summarise the data from a theoretical perspective. The findings revealed that themes of adaptation can be divided into four broad categories: layperson’s understanding of diabetes, mastery, survival competence, and successful adaptation. Patients with diabetes make many attempts to control their diabetes as advised by healthcare professionals, other diabetics and close friends. The results showed that, despite the fact that diabetes ruins their entire lives, patients attempt to cope with diabetes by trying to make sense of their condition.