The Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs (DAWN)‐severe mental illness (SMI) study: A cross sectional comparison of the psychosocial impact of diabetes in adults with and without severe mental illness
Authors' conclusion
The psychosocial impact of diabetes is greater for people with SMI. To reduce inequalities in diabetes outcomes, people with SMI and diabetes require tailored support for diabetes management that considers the additional challenges associated with living with a severe mental illness.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with diabetes with and without severe mental illness, England/UK
- Participants
- 258 vs 500
- Exposure
- Adults with DM and SMI vs DAWN2-UK adults with DM
- SMIn = 258
- DAWN2-UKn = 500reference
- Outcome
- Psychosocial impact and self-management
Methodological detailssurvey, comparison with DAWN2-UK sample, adjusted for diabetes type, age, gender, treatment, treatment duration, complications and co-morbidities
- Survey
- Comparison with DAWN2-UK sample
- Adjusted for diabetes type, age, gender, treatment, treatment duration, complications and co-morbidities
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Poorer quality of life with SMI
- Effect size (ES) (WHOQOL quality of life) −0.3 (CI −0.5 to −0.1); P < 0.001
- Poorer mental well-being with SMI
- ES (mental well-being) −13.4 (CI −17.3 to −9.5); P < 0.001
- Increased diabetes distress with SMI
- ES (PAID5 diabetes distress) 1.6 (CI 0.9,2.3); P < 0.001
- Less engaged in self-management with SMI
- ES (SDSCA-6 self-management) −0.4 (CI −0.7 to −0.1); P = 0.01
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Impact profile within SMI group: mental illness vs diabetes
- Mental illness impact profile
- 2.6 ± 1.1
- Diabetes impact profile
- 3.4 ± 1.0
- SMI had a greater impact on their lives than diabetes
- P < 0.001
Original publication
The Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs (DAWN)‐SMI study: A cross sectional comparison of the psychosocial impact of diabetes in adults with and without severe mental illness. Diabet Med. Published 16 August 2025. doi:10.
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