The influence of psychological factors on the self‐management of insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of a number of psychological factors upon the practice and outcome of diabetic self-management among young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Health beliefs, perception of control and knowledge were assessed by scales and questionnaires and glycosylated haemoglobin results and clinic attendance records obtained for 263 patients. The results demonstrated that the sample members perceived that they were responsible for the control of their diabetes, that the benefits of following treatment were greater than any barriers and that they were knowledgeable about their diabetes. However, these factors were not predictive of the outcome variables of metabolic control or clinic attendance according to multiple regression analysis. Implications of these results for nursing practice and for future research are discussed.

The effects of social support on health, well-being and management of diabetes mellitus: a black South African perspective

“…Patients with poor or adequate metabolic control were equally likely to have the same levels of social support as patients who were acceptably controlled, substantiating previous findings on the lack of a relationship between social support and metabolic control (Wilson et al 1986;Coates & Boore 1998;Pouwer et al 2001). However, patients with controlled BP had more social support than patients with poor BP control.…”

“…These findings also substantiated previous research on the relationship between support, health, well-being and ethnicity (Shenkel et al 1985;Schwartz et al 1986;Brown & Gary 1987;Littlefield et al 1990;Mengel et al 1990;Belgrave 1991;Walls & Zarit 1991;Belgrave & Lewis 1994;Anderson et al 1996;Coates & Boore 1998;Rubin 2000;Pouwer et al 2001). For African-Americans, social support has been found to promote health and well-being (Brown & Gary 1987), assist with adjustment to disability (Belgrave 1991), play a key role in chronic disease management (Belgrave & Lewis 1994) and maintain well-being among the elderly (Walls & Zarit 1991).…”

“…Factor II was concerned with the more tangible aspects of social support such as provision of assistance, and duly labelled tangible support. This two-dimensional model of social support makes inherent sense to the lives of diabetic patients, since close, caring relationships combined with practical assistance are essential for health, well-being and management of diabetes mellitus (Shenkel et al 1985;Schwartz et al 1986;Littlefield et al 1990;Mengel et al 1990;Anderson et al 1996;Coates & Boore 1998;Rubin 2000). Although the two factors were related, the correlation coefficient was significantly lower than the square root of the product of their reliability coefficients.…”

Patient and Physician Factors Associated With Adherence to Diabetes Medications

“…While it is hypothesized that more knowledge about one's condition translates to improved self-care behaviors, there is evidence that patient knowledge may not be directly related to selfmanagement behaviors. 37,39 Previous studies have shown neither knowledge of one's recent A1c level nor high diabetes-related knowledge scores were associated with adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors or 1Ac levels among adults with type 2 diabetes. 37,39 Finally, the association between shorter duration with diabetes, only taking oral medications, and higher medication adherence may be an artifact of the type of medication prescribed.…”

Communication and Community

“…(Wooldridge et al 1992). Lack of knowledge may affect adherence (Coates & Boore 1998), and the amount of knowledge appears to relate to self-care only among patients with sufficient motivation (Pennings-van der Eerden 1990). Concerning adherence to the prescribed diet, knowledge is needed, but social demands and personal preferences have been found to be play a major role, and simplification of the diet regimens has been recommended (Lo 1998).…”