The peculiarities of self in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The problem of the influence of self on human behavior is one of the major focuses of psychologists. However, the problem of self-identification of patients with somatic diseases, in particular type 1 diabetes mellitus, still remains poorly understood.

Aim: the study aim was to investigate the characteristics of self-evaluation in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Material and methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the concept by V.V. Stolin (1985) and the theory of self by S.R. Pantileev (1989). We used the self-attitude assessment (SAA) method by S.R. Pantileev, personal differentia method adapted at the Bekhterev Research Institute; and self-esteem scale test by M. Rosenberg. The study included 60 subjects allocated into two groups: 30 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, a mean age of 22.5 years (18 to 25 years) and a mean disease duration of 5 years; 30 healthy subjects with a mean age of 21.5 years (18 to 25 years).

Results. Patients with type 1 diabetes, unlike healthy subjects, had a low level of self-evaluation; they had the most pronounced negative emotional attitude to their Self, which reflected a low level of self-acceptance and comprise. Patients with type 1 diabetes had the level of self-esteem lower than that in healthy subjects. They were characterized by the presence of internal conflicts, disagreement with oneself, and excessive soul-searching and reflection. They considered themselves as the source of their failures.

Conclusions. The results indicate the distinct differences in the structure of Self between type 1 diabetes patients and healthy subjects.