A psychological support program for individuals with Type 1 diabetes

Acta Diabetol. 2013 Apr;50(2):209-16. doi: 10.1007/s00592-011-0269-x. Epub 2011 Mar 2.

Abstract

We aimed to test the effects of a psychological support program on the psychological distress, mood, and quality of life of well-educated individuals with type 1 diabetes. A newly developed support program was offered to 60 patients with type 1 diabetes on intensive insulin treatment, previously enrolled in group-care educational programs. Thirty-three subjects participated (experimental group, in groups of 8-12 subjects); 22, who postponed their entry, were used as controls. The program consisted of 7 weekly work sessions of 2 hours chaired by a psychologist and covered aspects of daily living with diabetes using role-playing, metaplan, and problem solving. At baseline and approximately 6 months later, all participants completed a battery of questionnaires, and the differences between the experimental and the control group were analyzed by repeated-measurements ANOVA. In response to the psychological support program, subjects in the experimental group reduced their depressive mood (Beck Depression Inventory and depression scales of the Psychological Well-Being Index) and anxiety (Self-rating Anxiety Scale), improved disease-specific quality of life (Symptom and Well-Being scales of the Well-Being Enquiry for Diabetes), increased their internal and decreased their external locus of control. These changes were accompanied by a 0.3% decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (ANOVA, P = 0.032). These results underline the importance of psychological aspects in individuals with type 1 diabetes; treating the psychological aspects related to the disease may be as important as medical control in order to improve living with diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Depression / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Self-Help Groups*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Insulin