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More than 1.5 million Australians live with diabetes—a relentless, demanding condition with day-to-day challenges that can affect their emotional well-being. Yet people living with diabetes demonstrate remarkable strengths, resilience and adaptability every day.

New research from The Australian Center for Behavioral Research in Diabetes within the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation sheds light on the strengths and resources that help people with diabetes thrive. The study, led by Dr. Edith Holloway and primary author Narelle Robertson, has been published in Diabetic Medicine.

"We interviewed 32 adults across Victoria with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to discover what helps them feel good, what barriers they face and what they need to live well and maintain positive emotional well-being," said Holloway.

A Community Advisory Group of people with diabetes informed the research, co-developed the interview process and helped interpret the initial findings. "It was important that the voices of people with diabetes were heard, that we acknowledged their individual strengths, experiences and agency to live well with diabetes," said Robertson.

Study participants identified supportive relationships, peer connections and empathetic health professionals as key to living well with diabetes. Self-acceptance of their condition and personal strengths, such as resilience, problem-solving and healthy coping skills, also fostered greater well-being.

Despite these strengths, participants reported difficulties accessing mental health support, including long wait times, costly services, limited availability and difficulty finding diabetes-informed psychological services.

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