Coping strategies and their relationship with quality of life in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a binary logistic...

Older adults with type 2 diabetes encounter numerous challenges and stressors, with diabetes-related distress significantly linked to complications and diminished quality of life. Effective management of negative emotions and the adoption of adaptive coping strategies are crucial for improving well-being. Coping strategies consist of three main types: 1)Problem-focused: Direct actions to resolve or alter the stress source. 2)Emotion-focused: Managing emotional responses to stress. 3)Avoidance Strategy: Evading or disengaging from stressful situations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and quality of life among older adults with type 2 diabetes using logistic regression analysis.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bushehr in 2023. Using multistage sampling-including both cluster and systematic random sampling-, 384 participants aged 60 years and older with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, clinical information, the coping with Stressful Situations Inventory (CISS-21) of Endler and Parker, and The 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, with binary logistic regression applied at a significance level of p < 0.05.

The mean age of participants was 66.76 ± 6.5 years, with near-equal sex distribution (50.5% female), 76% married, and 51.8% having a normal body mass index. The results showed that the dominant coping strategy in 43% of the participants was problem-focused, in 40.9%, it was emotion-focused, and in 16.1%, it was avoidance. Based on the Binary logistic regression analysis, the problem-focused strategy (OR = 0.671, 95% CI [0.610-0.739]) as a predictor of the desired quality of life and emotion-focused strategies (OR = 1.254, 95% CI [1.153-1.364) and avoidance (OR = 1.145, 95% CI [1.046-1.253]) were recognized as predictors of unfavorable quality of life.

Quality of life in older adults with type 2 diabetes is significantly affected by their coping strategies with progressive stresses. Promoting problem-focused coping may enhance quality of life, and this aspect should be emphasized in educational and supportive interventions.