Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

CHANGES ACROSS THE LIFESPAN| 4-31

Table 6: Challenges in young adulthood

Challenges: Young adulthood

Early stage (18-24 years)

Late stage (25-30 years)

Physically separating from family unit: “free at last”

More stability in the adult role

•

•

• Establishing life relationships: pregnancy, partnerships • Establishing career • More structured life • More likely to ‘get back on track’ to focus on diabetes self-management with sense of future; greater sense of responsibility for care

Less structure imposed

•

Strong peer group influences

•

Unstable financial situation

•

• Less interested/less time devoted to diabetes self-management: high risk of DKA • Availability of transition care is a concern

DKA = diabetes ketoacidosis

The literature has referred to the age group from 18 to 30 as “emerging adulthood” (61). Arnett has suggested that there are two stages in this group. In the early phase, ages 18 to 24 years, there is a greater sense of turmoil as to position in life, more competing interests and generally less attention/less willingness to engage in diabetes self-management. In stage 2, age 25 to 30 years, there is more stability in the adult role, more awareness of the need to plan for the future and more interest in engaging in diabetes self-management behaviours (61). Addressing our education strategies to the appropriate stage will have a greater relevance to the patients and a better outcome (36). Young adults may need help to problem-solve in relation to new situations they will face, including the following (62): • Moving to another city/town for university or college (DHC team in the new city/town; diabetes identification; problems with class timing and meal plans; more or less activity than they have currently, etc.). • Lack of money (referral to someone who can help with their budget; learning how to cook healthy, inexpensive meals; resources available, i.e. Diabetes Canada). • Career choices (planning for shift work; deciding if, when and what to tell their employer about their diabetes). • Socializing (choices about alcohol, smoking, late meals).