Promoting health in families of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes and living without a partner: psychological and social aspects, self-management behaviour, and glycaemic control

AIMS

(1) To investigate the association between cohabitation status and psychological aspects of living with diabetes (diabetes distress, diabetes empowerment, quality of life), self-management behaviours, and glycaemic control and (2) to explore whether potential associations are mediated by social support.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey of 2419 adult outpatients with type 1 diabetes from a specialized diabetes clinic in Denmark. Stepwise multiple regression gender-stratified analyses assessed the association between cohabitation status and the variables of interest and the influence of social support.

RESULTS

Significant associations existed between living without a partner and low quality of life, low diabetes empowerment and HbA1c for both men and women. For women, living without a partner was significantly associated with higher diabetes distress and poor self-management behaviours. All associations were mediated by social support to varying degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

Social network and social support are related to important diabetes outcomes in type 1 diabetes. Living without a partner indicates a need for support to prevent poorer diabetes outcomes. Women appear more susceptible to living without a partner in terms of psychosocial diabetes outcomes and glycaemic control. Generally, social support is a mediator in the association between cohabitation status and diabetes outcomes, but social support, as well as cohabitation status, are also independently associated with poorer diabetes outcomes. Assessment of cohabitation status as an indicator of psychosocial capabilities and glycaemic control may be useful in diabetes care and support.