The Mountain of Health: The Perceptions and Perceived Expectations of Youth Living With Type 2 Diabetes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Through a Grounded Theory Study.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore youth's perceptions of diabetes management. The study included 8 Manitoban youth with type 2 diabetes (n=7 girls). Each youth participated in a semistructured interview in person, via Skype or over the phone. The constructivist grounded theory methodologic approach guided the analysis of the data. Discussions about diabetes and health and its management revealed 2 viewpoints: 1) youth's perceptions and 2) youth's perceptions of health-care providers' expectations. The Mountain of Health was used to conceptualize the complex nature of diabetes management. Youth perceived that health-care providers prioritized physical health-behaviour changes in order to achieve successful diabetes management. Conflictingly, many youth described their mental and emotional health as taking precedence over their physical health. Future interventionists should be aware of the vast incongruence in patients' perceptions of health in type 2 diabetes and their perceptions of health-care providers' expectations during the development of interventions.