Perceptions of support, diabetes-related coping and psychological well-being in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between support from health care professionals and the family, diabetes-related coping, and psychological well-being by testing a model hypothesizing the structure of these relations in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A sample comprising 534 Norwegian adults with both types of diabetes aged 25 to 70 completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of support, diabetes-related coping styles and psychological well-being. Results indicate that perceptions of support from the family are more closely linked to diabetes-related coping than support from the health care professionals. Moreover, results suggest that association between perceptions of support and psychological well-being is mainly mediated by coping. Only associations of emotion-focused coping and self-blame with psychological well-being, however, were detected. Differences in patterns of associations among the sub samples of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were identified. The findings are discussed in the light of previous research and assumptions. Suggestions are given regarding implications for the health care of people with diabetes.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Norwegian Diabetes Association, the Health and Rehabilitation Foundation and Stavanger University College, Norway. The study participants and the staff at the diabetes clinic, the practitioners and the Norwegian Diabetes Association are acknowledged for their participation in the present study and for generous assistance.

Notes

It should be noted that the present cross-sectional design does not allow any firm conclusions about effects or causality. The term ‘effect’ above should therefore be understood only as theoretically hypothesized relationships.