Impact of Type I Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Biopsychosocial Stressors on Mental Health on Indian and Hispanic Children.
The effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus and the associated biopsychosocial stressors on the mental health of minority youth is a nuanced relationship that remains largely unnoticed. Besides its harmful effects on patients’ physical health, T1DM is a condition that may bring extreme financial and psychological burdens upon a family.
By understanding this issue in further detail, researchers and healthcare providers will-be better able to treat patients by having more background on all factors of this disease. As victims of T1DM, youth and their families are often unaware of the correlation between the disease and poor mental health.
This review of current literature on the topic provides a clearer picture of the relationship between the disease and its effects on multiple aspects of one’s life. It also identifies areas of further research needed to minimize the negative psychological effects of this highly stressful chronic condition.
In 2022, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that 1.52 million individuals
under the age of 20 were living with T1DM worldwide. Of this number, nearly 283,000 (18%) lived in
India, and over 170,000 (11%) lived in the United States.
Within the United States, Mayer-Davis noted that Hispanic youth constituted the fastest-growing cohort within this group. Researchers acknowledge that all diabetes reported numbers are alarmingly low due to widespread undiagnosed or unreported cases. According to
recent estimates, the projected incidence of T1DM may be up to 107% higher by 2040, making it a growing concern.
Diabetes Res Open J. 2023; 9(1): 17-21. doi: 10.17140/DROJ-9-158
