Faculty Collaboration Database

Associations between coping, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012;34(4):385-9

Date

05/05/2012

Pubmed ID

22554428

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3383912

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.03.018

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84862769240 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   40 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the emotional approach to coping on diabetes outcomes. This study examined the relationship between emotional coping and diabetes knowledge, medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: Data on 378 subjects with type 2 diabetes recruited from two primary care clinics in the southeastern United States were examined. Previously validated scales were used to measure coping, medication adherence, diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-care behaviors (including diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing and foot care). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the independent effect of coping through emotional approach on medication adherence and self-care behaviors while controlling for relevant covariates.

RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between emotional coping [as measured by emotional expression (EE) and emotional processing (EP)] and self-care behaviors. In the linear regression model, EP was significantly associated with medication adherence [β -0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.32 to -0.015], diabetes knowledge (β 0.76, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.24), diet (β 0.52, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.81), exercise (β 0.51, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.82), blood sugar testing (β 0.54, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.91) and foot care (β 0.32, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.67). On the other hand, EE was associated with diet (β 0.38, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.64), exercise (β 0.54, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82), blood sugar testing (β 0.42, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.76) and foot care (β 0.36, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.66), but it was not associated with diabetes knowledge.

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that coping through an emotional approach is significantly associated with behaviors that lead to positive diabetes outcomes.

Author List

Smalls BL, Walker RJ, Hernandez-Tejada MA, Campbell JA, Davis KS, Egede LE

Authors

Jennifer Annette Campbell PhD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rebekah Walker PhD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
Self Care
Southeastern United States
Young Adult