Original Research

Psychosocial stress in South African patients with type 2 diabetes

Samantha Ramkisson, Basil J. Pillay, Ben Sartorius
Journal of Metabolic Health | Journal of Insulin Resistance: Vol 1, No 1, | a17 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jir.v1i1.17 | © 2016 Samantha Ramkisson, Basil J. Pillay, Ben Sartorius | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 29 August 2016 | Published: 17 November 2016

About the author(s)

Samantha Ramkisson, Department of Behavioural Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Basil J. Pillay, Department of Behavioural Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Ben Sartorius, Department of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is considered an emotionally and behaviourally demanding condition which adds to the stress of a patient’s daily living. There is a paucity of literature in South Africa regarding stress and diabetes. This study therefore aims to identify the areas and contributory factors of psychosocial stress in South African patients with diabetes.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two public facilities and five private medical practices on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Questionnaire on Stress in Diabetes – Revised was administered to 401 participants.

Results: Eighteen percent of the sample reported having extreme psychosocial stress. Depression, physical complaints and self-medication/diet were the main areas which contributed to high psychosocial stress. Factors that also contributed to high levels of psychosocial stress were low educational level, unemployment, female gender, attending the public sector and high HbA1c levels.

Conclusion: Psychosocial stress affects metabolic control in patients with diabetes, thereby increasing the risks of long-term complications.


Keywords

stress; adults; type 2 diabetes; metabolic control

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Crossref Citations

1. Willingness of people with Type 2 diabetes to start insulin therapy: Evidence from the South African Tshwane Insulin Project (TIP)
Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Paola Wood, Elizabeth M. Webb, Tessa S. Marcus, Paul Rheeder
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice  vol: 168  first page: 108366  year: 2020  
doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108366