The role of overprotection by the partner in coping with diabetes: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

This study examined whether diabetes-specific self-efficacy mediates the association between overprotection and distress and whether this mediation depends on glycemic control and gender. The research sample of 215 individuals with diabetes and their partners completed a measure of partners’ overprotective behaviours towards the patient. Patients also completed measures of diabetes-specific self-efficacy and diabetes-related distress. Further, HbA1c values were obtained as an indication of glycemic control. Diabetes-specific self-efficacy mediated the association between overprotection by the partner and diabetes-related distress especially when glycemic control was relatively poor. Furthermore, diabetes-specific self-efficacy mediated the association between overprotection and diabetes-related distress more strongly in female than in male patients. The findings underscore the importance of studying both moderators and mediators in the association between partner behaviour and distress in patients.

Keywords:

• support
• spouses
• perceived control
• illness
• well-being

Notes

Notes

1. The purpose of the short questionnaire was to identify patients with high levels of diabetes-related distress. These patients were offered a referral to a diabetes education programme. Before patients were offered this referral they (and their partners) received a larger questionnaire containing the measurement instruments relevant for this study. Also patients with lower levels of diabetes-related distress on the short questionnaire received the larger questionnaire shortly afterwards.

2. The total response rate can only be estimated, because 183 patients of the 690 patients did not fill out the first screening questionnaire, and it is unknown how many of these 183 patients had a partner. Assuming that about 80% had a partner, this number would be 146. Then the total number of patients with a partner would be 559 (146 + 413). The total response rate would then be 40% (223 out of 559).