Drinking perceptions and management strategies of college students with diabetes.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore how college students with diabetes perceive and manage alcohol consumption. Fifteen college students with diabetes attending a large northeastern university participated in a single semistructured interview that focused on the impact of starting college on diabetes management and situational obstacles to diet-related self-care. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method of analysis. Students perceived alcohol as a pervasive part of the university environment and felt strong peer pressure to drink in alcohol-related social situations. Students described 3 distinct drinking practices and identified factors that shaped decisions about drinking. Most students developed personal strategies to manage drinking, usually without guidance. Some of the students' strategies appeared reasonable for avoiding adverse outcomes of drinking; however, other strategies may have increased their risk of hypoglycemia or poor glucose control. More research is needed to understand how students' management strategies influence diabetes control and to explore how education and counseling from healthcare providers can improve students' management of drinking.