Impact of Diabetes on Mental Health of Young Adults

Abstract

This literature review will discuss mental health among young adults suffering from diabetes. The objective is to understand different impact and help that can be provided. Mental health is an aspect often ignored in the process of treating diabetes. The need for attention towards the same is important. The study aims to know the impact on the mental health of young adults suffering from diabetes and the ways that can be a help to them to lead a normal life. Research questions in the thesis are: 1) How does diabetes impact mental health among young adults? 2) What are the possible measures to help young adults in regard to mental health? The theory chosen for this study is Dorothea E Orem’s nursing theory. Through reliable sources, scientific articles, were collected for review through PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Main search word used were: Diabetes AND mental health AND young adults OR impact OR distress OR self-care. A qualitative literature review was conducted to get content for the research questions. Inductive content analysis for the qualitative review of literature was done. The important finding for the impact on the mental health of young adults with diabetes is stress and the important finding for the different measures that can be taken to help young adults with diabetes in respect with mental health is psycho-education. The author concludes the study with reflecting on the importance of integration of mental health in diabetes care. Mental health is an important element to be taken care of. Mental health well-being leads to a progressive and positive control over the disease.