Conflicting Logics in a Changing Action Space: Challenges Related to Type 1 Diabetes in Work Life

Mathilde Overgaard*, Ulla Christensen, Mette A. Nexø

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Well-being at work is important to quality of life. However, reconciling work and diabetes management is often challenging; failing to do so threatens the well-being of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We explored the mechanisms underlying diabetes-specific challenges at work using theories of logics, involvement, and action space. Thematic analyses of two data sets, consisting of interviews with adults with T1D (n = 22) showed that people with T1D experience a conflict between two logics linked to diabetes and work, owing to the contradictory demands of work life and diabetes management. Individuals' ability to lower the priority of work tasks-shifting them from their main to a side involvement so as to properly manage T1D-helps resolve the conflict, as does being able to create an enabling action space for diabetes management at work. These insights can inform interventions targeting the well-being of workers with T1D.

Original languageEnglish
JournalQualitative Health Research
Volume31
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)1247-1259
Number of pages13
ISSN1049-7323
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • diabetes mellitus
  • type 1
  • self-management
  • work
  • qualitative research
  • interviews
  • Europe

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