The influence of stress and coping on diabetes self-care activities among college students

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine relationships between perceived stress, coping, and diabetes self-care activities among college students with type 1 diabetes.

Participants

College students, self-reported as diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Students responded to an online self-report questionnaire (Perceived Stress Scale, Brief COPE, Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities).

Results

ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between levels of perceived stress for healthy diet and foot care. Simple linear regression analysis showed significant relationships between healthy diet and active coping, positive reframing, and planning; between exercise and humor; between blood glucose testing and active coping, planning, and acceptance; and between foot care and active coping and positive reframing.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that effective stress management and coping skills will positively impact diabetes self-care. Educational programs for college students with type 1 diabetes should address self-care activities as well as psychosocial factors that affect health.

Keywords:

• Coping
• self-care
• self-management
• stress
• type 1 diabetes

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Wyoming, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Arizona.

Additional information

Funding

This publication was made possible by NIH Grant # P20 RR016474 from the INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIH.