Determining the efficacy of a resiliency training approach in adults with type 2 diabetes

The purpose of this randomized clinical study was to test the efficacy of a resiliency training approach for people with diabetes who have previously received standard diabetes self-education.

A single-blinded, randomized design was employed with repeated measures (baseline, 3 months, 6 months) with 67 participants assigned to either treatment as usual (n = 37) or the resiliency classes (n = 30). Outcome variables included physiological measures (glycosylated hemoglobin, waist measurement, eating and exercise habits) and psychosocial measures (self-efficacy, locus of control, social support, and purpose in life).

Analyses of variance indicated that the intervention group had higher levels of resiliency as reported by knowing positive ways of coping with diabetes-related stress, knowing enough about themselves to make right diabetes choices, having fun in life, eating healthier, and increasing physical activity compared with the control group at 3 months (P < .05). Glycosylated hemoglobin and waist measurement improved but not significantly.

Interventions to foster resilience among people with diabetes have the potential to make an important contribution to increasing positive life outcomes. Diabetes educators using the resiliency approach in tandem with standard diabetes education programs can assist their patients to become more self-directed in their diabetes care.