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Self-regulation in individuals with type II diabetes
E Hamera1, V Cassmeyer, K A O'Connell
1School of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
Nursing Research
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Individuals with type 2 diabetes often link symptoms to blood glucose changes and take action to manage their condition. Self-regulation strategies are key for diabetes management, though not directly tied to A1c levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Self-regulation is a key process in managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Understanding how individuals with type 2 diabetes perceive and respond to symptoms is crucial for effective self-management.
- Existing models propose monitoring disease status against a well-being standard, with discrepancies triggering action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a model of diabetes self-regulation focusing on symptom association and action-taking.
- To investigate the relationship between perceived symptoms, blood glucose fluctuations, and self-management behaviors in type 2 diabetes.
- To explore demographic and clinical factors influencing these self-regulatory processes.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 173 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Data collection focused on symptom perception, association with blood glucose changes (elevated or lowered), and subsequent actions taken.
- Statistical analyses examined relationships between variables, including demographic factors and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.
Main Results:
- A significant majority (85%) of participants associated their symptoms with changes in blood glucose levels.
- High percentages of participants took action when associating symptoms with either elevated (77%) or lowered (89%) blood glucose.
- Sex and insulin use were found to be related to symptom association and action-taking, but metabolic control (HbA1c) was not.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the proposed model of diabetes self-regulation, highlighting the importance of symptom-glucose association and subsequent action.
- Self-regulatory behaviors related to symptom perception and management are prevalent in type 2 diabetes.
- While demographic factors like sex and insulin use influence self-regulation, metabolic control itself does not appear directly linked to these specific self-management processes.