Psychological Correlates of Self-care, Distress and Quality of Life of Patients With Diabetes: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Background: Psychological correlates i.e. stress, personality traits, coping strategies and readiness to change were studied as predictors of self-care, distress and quality of life in patients with diabetes. Methods: A sample of 44 patients with equal numbers of type I and type II diabetes was recruited from the diabetes clinics of major teaching hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. The Rahe and Holmes Stress Inventory, Big Five Personality Inventory, Coping strategies Questionnaire, Readiness to change Questionnaire, Diabetes Distress Scale, the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities, and Quality of Life Scale were used for assessment. Individual assessments were carried out at the premises of the clinics. Findings: Type II patients scored higher on neuroticism and type I patients scored higher on foot care and were significantly more distressed compared to type II patients. High stress and distress were correlated. Personality traits and coping strategies were significantly correlated with distress, self-care and quality of life. Regression analysis identified avoidance focused coping (B= -.49; sig) and blood sugar (B= .46; sig) to be significant predictors of quality of life. Discussion: Findings highlight personality traits and coping strategies as important factors in adherence to self-care strategies and improving quality of life in patients with diabetes.