Correlates of Coping Styles in Young Women with Type 1 Diabetes

摘要

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease strongly affected physical and psychical aspects of patient life. It requires self-discipline and regular active participation in the management of the condition. Diabetes is obliged to face a lot of stress and restrictions caused by daily living with disease. Objective: to examine correlates of coping styles in young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was particularly concerned with characteristics, which are known to be connected with coping: self-esteem, illness representation, affect, social support and metabolic control. Material and methods: 32 young women (aged 19-30) with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included into the study. The participants completed MSEI, IBS, PANAS, CISS and BSSS. The metabolic status was assessed by HbA_(1C). Results: There were connections between coping styles and self-esteem, illness representation, metabolic control and social support. Relationships between coping styles and affect were not confirmed. Conclusions: The results indicate that the individual characteristics and preferences of young diabetic women such as: their styles of behavior in difficult situations, self-confidence, sense of disease-control, belief in efficacy of medical recommendations and constant necessity of health control should be taken under consideration in the treatment of diabetes.