Living alone with diabetes: a phenomenological study

Sovia  Susianty; Fitri  Mailani; Ira  Sari; Danielle  Le Lagadec; Colleen Johnston-Devin

doi:10.12968/bjcn.2025.0230

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Living alone with diabetes: a phenomenological study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Living alone with diabetes: a phenomenological study

Sovia Susianty, Fitri Mailani, Ira Sari, Danielle Le Lagadec and Colleen Johnston-Devin

British Journal of Community Nursing, Vol.31(7), pp.309 - 316

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2025.0230

PMID: 42391260

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Abstract

Community and primary care

diabetes mellitus

living alone

qualitative research

self-management

type 2 diabetes

Background Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a growing global health burden requiring effective long-term self-management. Behaviours such as diet, physical activity, medication adherence and glucose monitoring are strongly influenced by cultural beliefs, social support and family involvement. However, limited evidence exists on how individuals living alone manage their diabetes, particularly in communal settings. Aims This research explores how older people living alone in Western Sumatra manage their type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A phenomenological design was used, with reporting according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Seven individual interviews were conducted with older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who lived alone. The Colaizzi method of data analysis was used. Findings Five themes emerged: living alone is a choice; support is available in many forms; strategies to cope; cultural beliefs and practices; and accessing healthcare services. Conclusions Living alone empowers older people to make decisions about their diabetes self-management based on their knowledge of diabetes and traditional beliefs. However, they rely on family, friends, neighbours and healthcare professionals for support. This population would benefit from authentic, culturally appropriate solutions to manage their daily challenges. Implications for practice Since social support and living arrangements vary among people with diabetes, individual preferences must be considered and incorporated into nursing and health professional care plans.

Details

Title: Living alone with diabetes: a phenomenological study
Authors: Sovia Susianty (Corresponding Author) - Andalas University
Fitri Mailani - Andalas University
Ira Sari - Andalas University
Danielle Le Lagadec - Central Queensland University
Colleen Johnston-Devin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: British Journal of Community Nursing, Vol.31(7), pp.309 - 316
Publisher: MA Healthcare Ltd.
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2025.0230
ISSN: 2052-2215
PMID: 42391260
Copyright note: © MA Healthcare Limited. Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article published by MA Healthcare Ltd and distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: CC BY-NC 4.0
Data Availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available because of privacy or ethical restrictions.
Grant note: This work was supported by the research and community services centre fund of Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991243599702621
Output Type: Journal article

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