The role of time perspective in self-care in type 1 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of the role of pyschological time perspective in self-care behaviours in emerging adults aged 18-25 years with type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
222292
Contact name
Elaine Sharp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Brighton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 17 days
Research summary
What and Why?
Type 1 diabetes requires a range of daily self-care activities in order to keep blood glucose under control (glycaemic control). Good glycaemic control during youth can reduce the risk of developing future complications of diabetes, such as eye, kidney or nerve problems. However, some young adults struggle with this and glycaemic control can be at its poorest around the ages of 18-20 years.
Time perspective in psychology, is the extent to which we think about our past, present and future and this is known to influence choices and behaviour. Future time perspective (FTP) is where a person is likely to think clearly about the future when making choices. This has been shown to predict a range of things including our health choices. For example, people with high FTP are more likely to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Little is known on how time perspective might influence managing self-care activities. The purpose of this study is therefore to see if young adults with more FTP show better self-care of diabetes. This will be analysed by correlating FTP scores with reported self-care and HbA1c levels (a glycaemic control test). Time perspective could be targeted for intervention, as a way to improve self-care in young adults.
Who?
Adults aged 18-25 years with type 1 diabetes, diagnosed over 12 months ago
Where?
Diabetes clinics at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
How?
Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire taking about 10 minutes of their time. This includes questions about their diabetes, questions about their self-care and questions to measure their time perspective. Questionnaires can be done on paper or online at a secure website. Participants will be asked to give consent for the clinic to share the result of their most recent HbA1c level.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1897
Date of REC Opinion
12 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion