Table 2 Summary of similarities and differences between men and women, divided by five overarching themes
| Â | Identity and disclosure as person living with diabetes | Self-monitoring of blood glucose | Diet struggles | Utilization of diabetes resources | Social support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Men | Reluctant to disclose, kept diagnosis secret | Self-experimentation with diet, exercise, insulin, medication | Adherence in social settings, in context of lack of disclosure of diabetes | Self-directed, independent resources | Majority of support from spouse, especially diet changes |
Women | Open about identity, self-labeled as having diabetes | Affective fears, anxieties about monitoring | Difficulties with restriction, focus on ‘cheating’ on diet | Socially interactive resources, classes and support groups | Mixed sources, family, friends and children |
Both | Acceptance after adjustment period following diagnosis | Emphasis on body cues that linked to blood glucose levels | Frustration of adherence to dietary recommendations | Made use of available resources, sought out resources | Strong support from physicians, health care professionals |