Exploration of Social Support and the Impact on School Performance for Students with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) presents significant challenges for students, requires complex treatment and monitoring in daily life. This study explores the lived experiences of students with T1D, focusing on the role of social support and the impact on their school performance including academic and non-academic activities. Through qualitative approach employing the phenomenology method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight students aged between 13 to 17 living with T1D from two major government hospitals in Malaysia together with their parents/guardians who wished to participate. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed using NVivo 12. Two main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Social support systems and (2) motivation and commitment, with five sub-themes outlined. The findings revealed that social support from family, teachers and peers significantly impacts their ability to manage diabetes alongside school responsibilities. The study also highlights the critical need for schools to adopt a collaborative and supportive approach to address the challenges faced by students with T1D in managing diabetes. These findings contribute to the necessity of fostering collaborative support networks and developing targeted interventions to further enhance the quality of life and educational outcomes for students with diabetes.