Fatalism, Diabetes Management Outcomes, and the Role of Religiosity

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether fatalistic beliefs were associated with elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to establish the role of religiosity in this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 183 Jewish adults with diabetes visiting a large medical center in northern Israel. Self-administered questionnaires assessed level of religiosity, fatalistic beliefs, diabetes management behaviors, and demographic/personal characteristics; laboratory tests were used to measure HbA1c. Multivariate regression indicated that fatalism was significantly associated with HbA1c (β = 0.51, p = 0.01). The association was no longer statistically significant after including self-reported religiosity in the model (β = 0.31, p = 0.13). This phenomenon is likely due to a confounding relationship between the religious/spiritual coping component of the fatalism index and self-reported religiosity (r = 0.69). The results indicate that addressing fatalistic attitudes may be a viable strategy for improving diabetes management, but call for a better understanding of the interplay between religiosity and fatalism in this context.

Living with diabetes and disadvantage: A qualitative, geographical case study

“…Diabetes fatalism is defined as “a complex psychological cycle characterised by perceptions of despair, hopelessness, and powerlessness” (Walker et al., 2012, p. 598). Researchers have examined diabetes fatalism in terms of medication adherence (Walker et al., 2012), self‐care practices (Saidi et al., 2018), associations with diabetes distress and depression (Asuzu, Walker, Williams, & Egede, 2017) and the relationship to religiosity (Berardi et al., 2016). In these previous studies, fatalism was in reference to diabetes self‐management and outcomes.…”

The Impact of Pre-Stroke Depressive Symptoms, Fatalism, and Social Support on Disability after Stroke

“…Fatalism is associated with health behaviors and outcomes such as medication adherence and glycemic control among patients with diabetes, adherence to highly active anti-retroviral therapy among persons with HIV, and cancer screening and follow-up (29–31). The scale used in this study assesses beliefs regarding pre-determinism and attitudes about stroke (1, 32).…”

On the Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management—A Systematic Review

“…Our findings suggest that participation in church and spiritual beliefs, which P. Darvyri et al imply the belief in the existence of God, seems to have an ameliorating effect on stress levels and, thus, on glycemic control of these patients. Religiosity and spirituality as sources of emotional support (Samuel-Hodge et al, 2000;Berardi, 2016), are protective against negative feelings, way of life and behavior, as they strengthen type 2 diabetic patients in order to face everyday challenges caused by their disease in a more effective way, and to achieve better glycemic control. Therefore, levels of morbidity and mortality due to type 2 diabetes are lowered through better self-management and self-care (Lynch, Hernandez-Tejada, Strom, & Egede, 2012).…”

“…The relations between religiosity and fatalism (Jacobson, 1999), religiosity and domination (Schieman, Nguyen, & Elliott, 2003) and religiosity and locus of control (Fiori, Brown, Cortina, & Antonucci, 2006) are quite important for disease outcome. The deterrence of fatalistic feelings and behavior can be a viable strategy to improve the management of diabetes and to accomplish this we need a better understanding of the interaction between religiosity and fatalism (Berardi et al, 2016).…”

“…Darvyri et al Williams, 2015). Two of the studies included were cohort studies (Grey et al, 2004), while 11 studies were cross-sectional (Arcury et al, 2007;Newlin et al, 2008;Newlin et al, 2010;How et al, 2011;Lynch et al, 2012;Jafari et al, 2014;Amadi et al, 2015;Rivera-Hernandez, 2016;Berardi et al, 2016;Heidari, Rezaei, Sajadi, Ajorpaz, & Koenig, 2017).…”