Diabetes-Related Distress in Spanish Adults: Clinical, Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Correlates

Diabetes-related distress refers to the emotional strain experienced by individuals who live with diabetes and face continuous demands of treatment and self-management. Elevated distress is associated with poor adherence, impaired metabolic control, and diminished quality of life. This study aimed to describe diabetes-related distress among Spanish adults, analyse its associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables, identify predictors of higher distress, and define patient profiles with distinct psychosocial patterns.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 201 adults (n = 135 type 1, n = 66 type 2 diabetes) from two public healthcare centers in Seville, Spain. Participants completed the Spanish version of the 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale and a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical variables. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, logistic regression, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis to identify predictive factors and patient groupings.

Among participants, 39.3% presented low or no distress, 22.4% moderate distress, and 38.3% high distress, with an average score of 2.72. Higher distress was significantly associated with younger age, type 2 diabetes, and combined pharmacological treatment. Diabetes type was the strongest predictor of distress. Cluster analysis revealed three profiles: older adults with type 2 diabetes and low distress, middle-aged adults with type 1 diabetes and moderate distress, and younger adults with type 1 diabetes and high distress.

Diabetes-related distress is a heterogeneous phenomenon influenced by age, diabetes type, and treatment regimen. Regular assessment and individualised psychoeducational and emotional interventions may improve psychological well-being and adherence, particularly among younger adults and those under complex therapies.