Objectives: Our aim in this study was to assess the moderating role of patient-centred communication as a source of social support in the relationship between burden of diabetes and diabetes distress.
Methods: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (N=1,267) completed validated tools of diabetes distress and multiple aspects of patient-centred communication. A path approach was used to evaluate the moderating role of patient-centred communication in the relationship between diabetes burden, as indicated by prescription of insulin and presence of complications, and distress.
Results: Lower Hurried Communication, higher Elicited Concerns/Responded, higher Explained Results/Medications, greater Patient-centred Decision-making and Compassionate/Respectful were significantly associated with lower distress after controlling for burden. Hurried Communication, Explained Results/Medications and Patient-centred Decision-making moderated the relation between insulin and diabetes distress.
Conclusions: Our findings support the stress-buffering hypothesis of patient-centred communication and imply that aspects of patient-centred communication may protect against diabetes-related distress.
Keywords: buffering effect; communication centrée sur le patient; diabetes burden; diabetes distress; diabète de type 2; détresse liée au diabète; effet tampon; fardeau du diabète; patient-centred communication; type 2 diabetes.
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