Associations between coping, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes

Brittany L. Smalls, Rebekah J. Walker, Melba A. Hernandez-Tejada, Jennifer A. Campbell, Kimberly S. Davis, Leonard E. Egede

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)385-389
Number of pages5
JournalGeneral Hospital Psychiatry
Volume34
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported by grant no. T35DK007431 from the National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease .

Keywords

  • Coping
  • Diabetes
  • Medication adherence
  • Self-care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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