TY - JOUR

T1 - A qualitative investigation into the perceptions and experiences of the stigma attached to gestational diabetes mellitus among women in Denmark

AU - Davidsen, Emma

AU - Terkildsen Maindal, Helle

AU - Byrne, Molly

AU - Kelstrup, Louise

AU - Ovesen, Per

AU - Damm, Peter

AU - Kragelund Nielsen, Karoline

N1 - Funding Information: Funding for this research was received from the Graduate School of Public Health, the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Denmark as well as Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, a public hospital and research institution under the Capital Region of Denmark, which is partly funded by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The funding sources were not involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the articles; nor in the decision to submit it for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Denmark, with a particular focus on GDM-specific stigma. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 women with GDM from January to May 2022. All interviews were transcribed and analysed abductively using Braun and Clarke's framework for applied reflexive analysis. Results: Five themes were identified, 1) victim-blaming narrative, 2) identity threat, 3) non-disclosure and anticipated stigma, 4) stigma in a clinical setting, and 5) stigma reduction in a clinical setting. Additionally, intersectionality was identified between GDM-specific stigma, notions of how to be a good mother, and stigma associated with having type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight. Implications of GDM-specific stigma included suboptimal GDM care and management, i.e., not attending screening for GDM, and not wanting to disclose the diagnosis. Conclusion: The impact of GDM-specific stigma on the informants’ lives included some informants not accepting all services provided by the healthcare system, and some not wanting to identify with the diagnosis. These findings may help inform both healthcare personnel and future health promotion interventions to minimize the reproduction of a victim-blaming narrative and thereby promote well-being among women with GDM.

AB - Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Denmark, with a particular focus on GDM-specific stigma. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 women with GDM from January to May 2022. All interviews were transcribed and analysed abductively using Braun and Clarke's framework for applied reflexive analysis. Results: Five themes were identified, 1) victim-blaming narrative, 2) identity threat, 3) non-disclosure and anticipated stigma, 4) stigma in a clinical setting, and 5) stigma reduction in a clinical setting. Additionally, intersectionality was identified between GDM-specific stigma, notions of how to be a good mother, and stigma associated with having type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight. Implications of GDM-specific stigma included suboptimal GDM care and management, i.e., not attending screening for GDM, and not wanting to disclose the diagnosis. Conclusion: The impact of GDM-specific stigma on the informants’ lives included some informants not accepting all services provided by the healthcare system, and some not wanting to identify with the diagnosis. These findings may help inform both healthcare personnel and future health promotion interventions to minimize the reproduction of a victim-blaming narrative and thereby promote well-being among women with GDM.

KW - GDM

KW - Gestation diabetes mellitus

KW - Internalised stigma

KW - Qualitative research

KW - Self-stigma

KW - Social stigma

U2 - 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110858

DO - 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110858

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37516412

AN - SCOPUS:85166581434

VL - 203

JO - Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. Supplement

JF - Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. Supplement

SN - 1572-1671

M1 - 110858

ER -