Experiences of diabetes stigma among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A multi‐study, multi‐country, secondary analysis
Authors' conclusion
Findings suggest a high and relatively consistent prevalence of diabetes stigma across studies and within and across countries, supporting calls for local and global action.
Study context
- Population
- Adults (aged ≥18) with T1D or T2D in 11 cross-sectional studies from six countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, UAE, USA) in four languages11 studies
- Participants
- 3,114 vs 6,586
- Comparison
- T1D vs T2D
- T1Dn = 3,114
- T2Dn = 6,586
Methodological detailsmulti-study, multi-country, variance-components linear random-effect multi-level modelling
- Multi-study
- Multi-country
- Variance-components linear random-effect multi-level modelling
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
≥1 experience of diabetes stigma
Further findings
| Outcome | T1D | T2D |
|---|---|---|
| 'Blame and judgment' subscale (most endorsed, 10 studies) | 83% (study range 62%–89%) | 70% (study range 53%–79%) |
| Being 'treated differently' (least common) | 46% (study range 40%–54%) | 37% (study range 28%–47%) |
| Mean total score (DSAS-1 in T1D; DSAS-2 in T2D) and heterogeneity | 54 (SE 0.94) | 44 (SE 1.1) |
| ICC | 0.02 | ≤0.4 |
| p | p < 0.001 | p < 0.001 |
- 'Identity concerns' in T1D
- 73% · study range 62%–80%
- 'Self-stigma' in T2D
- 47% · study range 30–60%
Mean total score (DSAS-1 in T1D; DSAS-2 in T2D) and heterogeneity
- Low levels of heterogeneity observed in mean total scores
Original publication
Experiences of diabetes stigma among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A multi‐study, multi‐country, secondary analysis. Diabet Med. Published 7 June 2025. doi:10.
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