Study recruitment: How diabetes affects young adults in their social relationships

A student university project is looking for volunteers to take part in a new study.

A university research project is looking for young adults with diabetes to share their lived experiences about how the condition impacts on their sense of self and social lives.

The study is interested in exploring how young adults living with diabetes make sense of their condition in relation to their developing sense of identity and their social relationships. 

Participants need to be aged 18–25, currently living in the UK, have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes for at least 12 months, and be able to participate in an interview conducted in English. 

They will be asked to participate in a one-to-one semi-structured interview conducted online via Microsoft Teams, lasting approximately 45–60 minutes.

Chidera Chiemeka, postgraduate MSc student at Manchester Metropolitan University, leading the study, said: “There is evidence suggesting that living with diabetes can influence young adults’ sense of identity and their social relationships. However, there is limited qualitative research exploring how young adults themselves make sense of these experiences in their everyday lives. 

“Enhancing our understanding of this will help inform more developmentally appropriate psychosocial and relational support for young adults living with diabetes.”

For more information and if you are interested to participate in this study contact Chidera Chiemeka, postgraduate MSc student at Manchester Metropolitan University by email

NOTE: DRWF will from time-to-time advise readers of ‘calls to participate’ in diabetes and related health research studies. It should not necessarily be considered that the charity is in any way connected to the study or the group issuing the call for participants. If we are involved in any way, we will make this known. We will only share external calls where we have confirmed that the study holds ethics committee approval, and the study is specific to diabetes and related health. Taking part in a medical research study is a big step and further helpful information can be found via the National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Trials Guide.