Psychological Predictors of Adherence to Self-Care Behaviour amongst Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Visiting Public Hospital, North India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) need a high degree of self-care behavior, treatment adherence, and good psychological health. Psychological health play a vital role in adherence to treatment regimen and self-management of diabetes. This study aims to identify the psychological predictors of self-care behaviors among patients with T2DM.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a diabetic clinic at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Structured pre-tested personal and clinical profile and self-efficacy, diabetes distress, depression and anxiety, and complications and fear of developing hypoglycaemia due to diabetes mellitus in the future are measured through standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 53.5 (±3.68) years, and 41.4% were in the overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9) and obese (16.7%, BMI > 30) category. Self-care behaviours found significant association with self-efficacy (r = 0.34, < 0.001), anxiety (r = -0.28, < 0.001), depression (r = -0.28, < 0.001) and diabetes-related distress (r = -0.30, < 0.001). Further, self-efficacy ( = 0.001), diabetes distress ( < 0.001) and fear of developing hypoglycaemia ( < 0.001) were reported independent predictors of self-care behaviour in patients with T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study suggests that self-efficacy, fear of hypoglycaemia and emotional state played an important role in adherence to self-care behaviour in T2DM management. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be routinely screened for psychological factors at diabetes clinics. Thus, developing tailored interventions to raise belief and self-efficacy might be a useful way to increase the involvement of patients in treatment.