What did you investigate and how?

In collaboration with my supervisors, I investigated how women may experience stigma related to gestational diabetes and how this can affect their mental, social, and physical health. To explore this, we conducted a systematic literature review, qualitative interviews, and developed a questionnaire to measure the psychological aspects of stigma, also known as internalised stigma. In addition, we used data from the Face-it study to examine which women are at increased risk of internalising stigma related to gestational diabetes, and potential associations between self-reported stigma and health outcomes after childbirth.

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What did you find?

Our research shows that women with gestational diabetes can experience stigma from both healthcare professionals and family members. Some women may feel guilt and shame about their diagnosis, and in some cases, this leads them to avoid telling others. We also found that perceived stigma can affect women's motivation to follow treatment recommendations and participate in future screening programmes.

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To measure stigma, we developed and validated the Internalised Stigma Scale for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (ISS-GDM). Our findings show that women with a higher pre-pregnancy weight, as well as those diagnosed with gestational diabetes for the first time, more often report higher levels of internalised stigma. We also found that women who reported internalised stigma had poorer mental health in terms of lower well-being, higher stress levels, and more loneliness after childbirth.

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Our findings underline the need to reduce the stigma associated with gestational diabetes and to develop interventions that support women with this diagnosis both during and after pregnancy.

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Relevant links 

Research profile

Emma Daviden

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Publications

• Statusartikel i Ugeskrift for Læger

• A qualitative investigation into the perceptions and experiences of the stigma attached to gestational diabetes mellitus among women in Denmark

• The stigma associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A scoping review

 

PhD Supervisors

Helle Terkildsen Maindal, MPH, PhD
Department of Public Health, Aarhus University;
Department of Prevention, Health Promotion & Society, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen
Email: htm@ph.au.dk

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Karoline Kragelund Nielsen, MSc in Public Health, PhD
Department of Prevention, Health Promotion & Society, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen
Email: karoline.kragelund.nielsen@regionh.dk

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Peter Damm, MD, Professor & Chief Physician
Rigshospitalet, Department of Gynaecology, Fertility and Obstetrics,
Clinic for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Juliane Marie Centre and University of Copenhagen
Email: nis.peter.damm@regionh.dk

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Molly Byrne, MSc in Health Psychology, PhD, Professor
University of Galway
Email: molly.byrne@universityofgalway.ie

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University affiliation

Aarhus University, Department of Public Health

 

Funding​

Ph.d.-projektet blev finansieret af:

• The Steno Research Fund, hosted at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation

• Department of Public Health, Aarhus University

• Face-it study: Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF16OC0027826). Steno Diabetes Centers in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus, as well as Aarhus University, contributed both in-kind and financial support to the study.

• Travel grants: Danish Diabetes Association, Christian and Ottilia Brorson’s Foundation, Knud Højgaard’s Foundation, Graduate School of Public Health, Aarhus University

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