Type 1 diabetes stigma: A <scp>UK</scp> survey of adults living with type 1 diabetes

Abstract Aims Type 1 diabetes stigma (T1D‐stigma) refers to negative social judgement towards people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is linked to poorer psychological well‐being and suboptimal diabetes self management. This observational study aimed to explore sociodemographic, diabetes health and well‐being factors linked to high stigma scores to inform future, targeted intervention studies. Methods UK‐based adults (aged ≥18 years) with T1D completed an online survey comprising sociodemographic and diabetes health questions, wellbeing measures for anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale: GAD‐7), diabetes impact (Impact of Diabetes Profile: DIDP) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ‐9) and the Type 1 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS‐1). Potential relationships between sociodemographic, diabetes health and well‐being factors and DSAS‐1 score were identified by univariate regression and the independence of significant ( p &lt; 0.05) relationships was explored in multivariable regression. Results Of 438 participants, 96% endorsed one or more items on the DSAS‐1. In multivariable regression, age ( β = −0.136, p = 0.006), sex ( β = 0.114, p = 0.006), BMI ( β = 0.112, p = 0.023), insulin pump use ( β = 0.108, p = 0.015), DIDP score ( β = 0.211, p = &lt;0.001), GAD‐7 score ( β = 0.192, p = 0.002) and PHQ‐9 score ( β = 0.195, p = 0.002) predicted DSAS‐1 score. Ethnicity did not predict DSAS‐1 score, nor did age at diagnosis or number of severe hypoglycaemia episodes. Conclusion Most participants reported at least one instance of T1D‐stigma. High DSAS‐1 scores in the United Kingdom were predicted by younger age, being a woman, higher BMI, insulin pump use, higher diabetes impact and anxiety and depression scores. Future studies should further explore the impact of T1D‐stigma within these groups to tailor appropriate interventions.