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The Psychological Impact of Living With Diabetes

Women's Day-to-Day Experiences

From the School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois (Dr Penckofer, Dr Velsor-Friedrich, Ms Savoy), and the College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago (Dr Ferrans).

Correspondence to Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, Loyola University Chicago, School of Nursing, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153 (spencko{at}luc.edu).

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger experienced by women with type 2 diabetes and the impact these feelings have on their overall quality of life.

Methods

Four focus groups (2 white, 2 African American) were conducted by ethnically matched professional moderators. Sessions were audiotaped, and transcriptions were analyzed using an inductive approach. Forty-one women (mean age, 55.6 years; SD = 7.9) who had type 2 diabetes for an average of 8.7 years (SD = 6.3) participated. Forty-two percent of the sample was African American.

Results

The themes generated directly from the focus group data are (1) struggling with the changing health situation; (2) encountering challenges in relationships with self, family, and others; (3) worrying about the present and future; (4) bearing multiple responsibilities for self and others; and (5) choosing to take a break. Women also expressed feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger, which were primarily related to having diabetes as well as managing the multiple responsibilities of being a caregiver. There were more similarities than differences noted by race.

Conclusions

Women with type 2 diabetes experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger, which affect their healthand overall quality of life. The findings suggest that health care providers should assess the psychological health of women with type 2 diabetes when developing plans of care. By understanding and addressing the emotional health of women with type 2 diabetes, the relationships between the patient, family, and health care provider may improve, allowing for more successful diabetes management.

The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 33, No. 4, 680-690 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0145721707304079


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