Psychological factors account for variation in metabolic control and perceived quality of life among people with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand.
BACKGROUND
Many people with diabetes experience poor metabolic control and reduced quality of life (QoL).


OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the relationships between psychological variables, metabolic control, and QoL among adults with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Research participants (n = 615) were randomly selected from a medical database of people with type 2 diabetes held in Wellington, New Zealand. Self-report psychological data was collected using a mailed questionnaire survey. Clinical characteristics were obtained through a review of medical records with participants' written consent.


RESULTS
Psychological perceptions of diabetes explain approximately 8% of differences in metabolic control and 16% of variability in quality of life, even when controlling for key clinical characteristics. Belief that diabetes is temporary, a perception that diabetes is difficult to control, strong negative emotional representation of diabetes, and agreement that diabetes has serious consequences were linked to poor illness outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological variables make a unique and statistically significant contribution to the explanation of differences in both physiological and emotional diabetes outcomes. Potentially, modification of personal views about diabetes could help promote positive health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes. This study highlights specific illness perceptions that could be targeted in future interventions.
Paddison
C A M
CA
General Practice and Primary Care Research Unit, University of Cambridge, UK. camp3@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Alpass
F M
FM
Stephens
C V
CV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human