Psychological profiles of individuals with type 2 diabetes and their association with physical and psychological outcomes: a cluster analysis.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify clusters of participants with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at risk for developing psychological and somatic distress symptoms. Moreover, we investigated whether the different clusters were associated with glycemic control, sleep, and physical activity levels.. In a cross-sectional design, participants with T2DM ( = 269) completed questionnaires on psychological and somatic distress, sleep disorders and physical activity.

RESULTS

Cluster analyses yielded three groups: a) "high self-confident and low demoralised"; b) "low support and low involvement"; c) "high consequences, high demoralisation and nagging". The groups were distinguished by the social, cognitive, and vital exhaustion variables and significant differences in diabetes-related psychological distress and physical activity. The measure of glycemic control did not differ between clusters. The "high self-confident and low demoralised" group displayed the lowest scores on psychological distress compared to the other clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that social cognitive dimensions and affective states play a key role in defining clusters in participants with T2DM. Thus, we need to consider the psychological profiles of participants with T2DM when designing interventions to improve self-management strategies.