title: Partner expressed emotion and diabetes management among spouses living with Type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Expressed emotion has been consistently shown to be a significant predictor of relapse and poor disease management across numerous physical and mental health conditions, however very little research has been conducted on its relationship to the management practices of individuals living with Type 2 diabetes. This study examines the relationship between expressed emotion (EE) and diabetes management among couples where 1 spouse has Type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors surveyed 106 couples where 1 partner was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Partners without diabetes completed questionnaires about their level of criticism, emotional involvement, and warmth toward their partners. Partners with diabetes completed questionnaires on diabetes control, diabetes management practices and attitude toward their diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors found that, individuals living with diabetes who had partners with high EE reported significantly poorer diabetes management in all areas (diet, physical activity, and attitude toward diabetes). Diabetes management was found to mediate the relationship between EE and diabetes control. Results suggest that partners with high EE may have a significant influence on diabetes management practices in their partner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the important role couple interactions may play in diabetes management. Findings also emphasize the potential benefit of conceptualizing diabetes management from a systems/relational perspective. In addition, greater consideration should be given to using family-based approaches for diabetes management and treatment among coupled individuals living with Type 2 diabetes. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Loma Linda University.
authors.forename: Zephon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lister
authors.affiliation: School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University.
authors.forename: Colwick
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Loma Linda University.
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Loma Linda University.
authors.forename: R Patricia
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Herring
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Loma Linda University.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Missouri State University.
authors.forename: Lucretia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas.
authors.forename: Lincoln
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires