Experiences Of Living With Diabetes And The Influence Of Diabetes Complications And Self-Care On Psychological Outcomes
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Date
2022-01
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Self-care activities are critical in managing diabetes and lead to better recovery responses. However, adherences to these activities are poor among patients. This results in improper disease management, increases in diabetes complications, and consequently poor psychological health. This study examines the lived experiences and the influence of diabetes self-care activities and complications on psychological outcomes (depression, diabetes distress, and quality of life) among patients with type 2 diabetes. Multivariate Analysis of Variance, Multiple regression, and Linear regression were used to analyze the quantitative data obtained whereas thematic analysis was employed for the examination of the qualitative data. Results from the quantitative study revealed that no significant differences exist in the distress and depression levels between patients with two or more diabetes complications and those with no diabetes complications. Also, there were no observed differences in self-care activities between patients with two or more, and those with no diabetes complications. Furthermore, quality of life was significantly predicted by exercise but not medication. Interestingly, diabetes duration neither predicted depression, diabetes distress nor quality of life. Findings from the qualitative study, it was revealed that most patients experienced negative emotions when diagnosed with diabetes. Some challenges to effective diabetes management were identified to be distance to health care facilities, the use of herbal drugs, and the fear of medication side effects. Despite support and coping tools, patients still experienced some form of distress due to complications and death from these complications. Limitations of the study and their implications for future research are discussed.
Description
Mphil in Clinical Psychology
Keywords
Diabetes, Self-Care, Psychology