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Social support and self-management capabilities in diabetes patients: An international observational study
Jan Koetsenruijter1, Nathalie van Eikelenboom1, Jan van Lieshout1
1Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to explore which aspects of social networks are related to self-management capabilities and if these networks have the potential to reduce the adverse health effects of deprivation.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study we recruited type 2 diabetes patients in six European countries. Data on self-management capabilities was gathered through written questionnaires and data on social networks characteristics and social support through subsequent personal/telephone interviews. We used regression modelling to assess the effect of social support and education on self-management capabilities.
Results:
In total 1692 respondents completed the questionnaire and the interview. Extensive informational networks, emotional networks, and attendance of community organisations were linked to better self-management capabilities. The association of self-management capabilities with informational support was especially strong in the low education group, whereas the association with emotional support was stronger in the high education group.
Conclusion:
Some of the social network characteristics showed a positive relation to self-management capabilities. The effect of informational support was strongest in low education populations and may therefore provide a possibility to reduce the adverse impact of low education on self-management capabilities.
Practice Implications:
Self-management support interventions that take informational support in patients' networks into account may be most effective, especially in deprived populations.
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