Emotional health influences control of diabetes

Psychological and social factors can affect management of type 2 diabetes, according to results of a small study.
Type 2 diabetes, by far the most common kind of diabetes, is a condition in which the body cannot properly use the hormone insulin to allow cells to process glucose (blood sugar) for energy. Complications of excess glucose include diseases of the heart, nerves, kidneys and other organs.
Researchers in Japan examined the effect of psychosocial measures, such as coping measures for stress, on glucose control in 256 outpatients with type 2 diabetes. Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) blood tests performed at the start of the project and six and 12 months later measured the participants' management of glucose.
The scientists found that a person's self-confidence in coping with and guiding his or her destiny (self-efficacy) had an important impact on their ability to manage their glucose levels.
In addition, other factors contributed to their glycohemoglobin scores, including social support, the level of distress related to diabetes, their daily burdens and emotion-focused coping strategies (attempts to manage emotional consequences of stressful events, as opposed to a problem-solving approach).