Information avoidance by younger adults with Type 1 diabetes: a preliminary empirical study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Information avoidance by younger adults with Type 1 diabetes

T2 - a preliminary empirical study

AU - Ryan, Bruce

AU - Webster, Gemma

N1 - Copyright: © 2024 The Authors.

PY - 2024/9/16

Y1 - 2024/9/16

N2 - Introduction: People with Type 1 diabetes need to collect data to calculate their own insulin doses, and collect information about potential complications. However, information avoidance may be a barrier to such activities. Method: A preliminary study of information avoidance by younger adults with Type 1 diabetes covered data, information and information channels that they avoid, and adolescence’s effects on diabetes information behaviour. Semi-structured interviews with six younger adults with Type 1 diabetes and five healthcare professionals were used to understand their diabetes information behaviours. Analysis: The understandings were gleaned from thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Results: Younger adults with Type 1 diabetes may only collect blood glucose data, disregarding other relevant data and information. They may also take ‘time off’ from collection, and not gather information about potential complications. Some desire more contact with healthcare professionals. Adolescence may involve significant avoidance of data and information. Conclusions: Observed behaviours speak to ‘utility’ and ‘hedonic drives’. Long gaps between healthcare appointments may exacerbate avoidance, as well as limiting healthcare professionals’ opportunities to advise patients. Younger adults with Type 1 diabetes avoid data and information unless they believe these are needed. Frequency of appointments and routes to information could be improved.

AB - Introduction: People with Type 1 diabetes need to collect data to calculate their own insulin doses, and collect information about potential complications. However, information avoidance may be a barrier to such activities. Method: A preliminary study of information avoidance by younger adults with Type 1 diabetes covered data, information and information channels that they avoid, and adolescence’s effects on diabetes information behaviour. Semi-structured interviews with six younger adults with Type 1 diabetes and five healthcare professionals were used to understand their diabetes information behaviours. Analysis: The understandings were gleaned from thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Results: Younger adults with Type 1 diabetes may only collect blood glucose data, disregarding other relevant data and information. They may also take ‘time off’ from collection, and not gather information about potential complications. Some desire more contact with healthcare professionals. Adolescence may involve significant avoidance of data and information. Conclusions: Observed behaviours speak to ‘utility’ and ‘hedonic drives’. Long gaps between healthcare appointments may exacerbate avoidance, as well as limiting healthcare professionals’ opportunities to advise patients. Younger adults with Type 1 diabetes avoid data and information unless they believe these are needed. Frequency of appointments and routes to information could be improved.

KW - information avoidance

KW - Type 1 diabetes

KW - younger people

KW - utility

KW - hedonic drives

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85205315601

U2 - 10.47989/ir293701

DO - 10.47989/ir293701

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85205315601

SN - 1368-1613

VL - 29

SP - 56

EP - 73

JO - Information Research: an international electronic journal

JF - Information Research: an international electronic journal

IS - 3

ER -