No sugar please… the journey of Singaporean diabetics… un-sugared.

Abstract

This study looks at having diabetes in Singapore through sociological lens. In other words, this study aims to uncover the social construction and meaning of being diabetic in Singapore.

For this study, I adopted a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews with Singaporean diabetics provide insights to the unseen side of the diabetes experience. Analysis would be done on both the narration and narrative of the respondent’s experience.

Much inspiration for this study is gathered from works of Bury’s (1991) analysis framework on chronic conditions and case studies of the likes of Higginbottom (2006) paper. I framed my findings according to the said works and found age to be a crucial factor in determining the response my respondents have towards diabetes. Other findings include how the self is being renegotiated at times of distress and how work and social disruptions have a crucial role in experiencing diabetes, which is previously ignored.