Effect of perceived control on quality of life in indigent adults with type 2 diabetes

To examine the relationship between perceived control of diabetes and physical and mental health components of quality of life in indigent adults with diabetes.

The primary variables, perceived control of diabetes and quality of life, were evaluated among188 patients from a low-income clinic located at an academic medical center. Over a 12-month period, consenting subjects completed the surveys to assess perceived control of diabetes and health-related quality of life. Sociodemographic factors (age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, employment, marital status, and insurance status) were collected as well as clinical factors like comorbid conditions and use of insulin therapy. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the independent association of perceived control on quality of life.

The sample largely comprised middle-aged women with diabetes, a majority being black; nearly two-thirds had at least a high school education and almost three-quarters were unemployed. Mean quality of life scores were generally below national population means. Correlation results indicated a positive relationship between perceived control and both physical and mental quality of life. Regression results supported the positive association between perceived control and quality of life, even when controlling for sociodemographics and comorbidity in the final model.

Increasing perceived control, perhaps by a combination of education and skills building (ie, self-efficacy), will result in higher perceived quality of life (QOL) among disadvantaged populations with diabetes.