Aim: The aim of the study was to provide a concept analysis of health equilibrium among patients with diabetes and introduced its operational definition.
Design: A concept analysis was conducted using a hybrid model of Schwartz-Barcott and Kim (Nursing research methodology: issues and implementations, Aspen, 1986).
Methods: Using consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines, 10 participants with diabetes mellitus were interviewed. Each participant conducted at least two interviews, with each interview session lasting approximately 20-60 min at home or in a quiet place with some privacy. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach.
Results: The health equilibrium concept included four categories with 12 attributes: cognitive (commitment to health, willingness to make life adjustments, balanced awareness, maintaining control), social (social role performance, holding a social support system, participation in social relationships), behavioural (leading a balanced life, making efforts to maintain health, modulating overreaction diabetes) and psychological (hopefulness for a healthy life psychological stability) factors. Thus, health equilibrium was defined as a state in which remain committed to health, while maintaining a stable daily life, social relationships and psychological stability despite prejudices against the disease and self-care experiences.
Conclusion: Health equilibrium for diabetes patients was defined as maintaining cognitive, social, behavioural and psychological equilibrium as a process of willingly adjusting to life with diabetes. This can help people with diabetes improve self-care and maintain social roles.
Keywords: adaptation; concept analysis; diabetes mellitus; health; nursing.
© 2023 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.