The (un)controlled body: A grounded theory analysis to conceptualise stigma for women with gestational diabetes mellitus

TY - JOUR

T1 - The (un)controlled body

T2 - A grounded theory analysis to conceptualise stigma for women with gestational diabetes mellitus

AU - Benton, Madeleine

AU - Bird, Jessica

AU - Hotung, Natasha

AU - Ismail, Khalida

AU - Silverio, Sergio A.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the King\u2019s Together Multi and Interdisciplinary Research Scheme Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (grant reference: 204823/Z/16/Z). Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

PY - 2024/4/16

Y1 - 2024/4/16

N2 - Health-related stigma is associated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress and reduced engagement in health behaviours which are particularly harmful in pregnancy and the postpartum. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) report negative psychosocial experiences and may be at risk of stigma related to the condition. We aimed to understand women’s experiences of GDM-specific stigma. Individual interviews were conducted with n = 53 women living in the UK with a current or past (within 4 years) GDM. Grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the data. Four themes were identified: (1) Preconceptions and misconceptions; (2) Locating, regaining, and negotiating agency; (3) Tension about and resisting the dominant discourse of stigma; and (4) Reclaiming control over the body. GDM-specific stigma was diverse and far reaching and may have broader implications for perinatal mental health and postnatal wellbeing. It is pertinent to investigate possible prospective associations between GDM-specific stigma, and biomedical and mental health outcomes.

AB - Health-related stigma is associated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress and reduced engagement in health behaviours which are particularly harmful in pregnancy and the postpartum. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) report negative psychosocial experiences and may be at risk of stigma related to the condition. We aimed to understand women’s experiences of GDM-specific stigma. Individual interviews were conducted with n = 53 women living in the UK with a current or past (within 4 years) GDM. Grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the data. Four themes were identified: (1) Preconceptions and misconceptions; (2) Locating, regaining, and negotiating agency; (3) Tension about and resisting the dominant discourse of stigma; and (4) Reclaiming control over the body. GDM-specific stigma was diverse and far reaching and may have broader implications for perinatal mental health and postnatal wellbeing. It is pertinent to investigate possible prospective associations between GDM-specific stigma, and biomedical and mental health outcomes.

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Perinatal health

KW - Maternal health

KW - Postpartum

KW - Stigma

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85190755480&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/13591053241241863

DO - 10.1177/13591053241241863

M3 - Article

SN - 1359-1053

JO - Journal of Health Psychology

JF - Journal of Health Psychology

ER -