Wavering Diabetic Diet: “I Break the Diet and Then I Feel Guilty and Then I Don’t Go Back to It, In Case I Feel Guilty Again”
Date
2020-03-23
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Open
Abstract
This study aimed at understanding the experiences of maintaining good dietary self-care among people with type 2 diabetes
mellitus and the meaning of negative emotions in the context of dietary self-care. Thirteen type 2 diabetes patients from
an Endocrinology and Diabetes Department in the West Midlands region, United Kingdom, were interviewed to explore
experiences of dietary self-care and negative emotions. Transcripts were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological
analysis approach. Three main themes emerged: (a) dietary self-care: a constant challenge, (b) negative emotions: a cause and
a consequence, and (c) coping with negative emotions and living with “the diet.” Situations involving poor dietary self-care
were identified to understand the context of negative emotions. Perceived dietary restrictions resulted in frustration, anger,
and depression, while maintaining dietary self-care resulted in irritation, annoyance, regret, guilt, anger, and depression. The
consequence of poor dietary self-care was frustration, depression, and anger, which further resulted in poor dietary self-care,
creating a cycle of poor dietary self-care and negative emotions. This reflected the wavering nature of participants’ dietary
maintenance. Coping with these negative emotions and poor dietary self-care involved rationalizing and/or acknowledging
the importance of maintaining good dietary self-care. Findings showed negative emotions are perceived to impact dietary
self-care and diabetes control. Health care providers should incorporate the understanding of experiences of negative
emotions in dietary education and cognitive behavioral interventions should be offered to manage negative emotions.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
type 2 diabetes, dietary self-care, negative emotions, qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis
Citation
Amankwah-Poku, M. (2020). Wavering Diabetic Diet: “I Break the Diet and Then I Feel Guilty and Then I Don’t Go Back to It, In Case I Feel Guilty Again.” SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020914577