Investigation on mental health and coping style in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the mental health and coping styles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and analyze the relationship between mental health and coping skills.Methods A total of 167 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in the study [including 94 male and 73 female,aged 22 to 80 years,mean age:(57.93 ± 13.02) years].SCL90 (Symptom Checklist90) and coping style questionnaire (CSQ) were used to evaluate mental health and coping styles,respectively.Information on patient age,gender,disease duration,complications,glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and treatment were collected.The demographic and glycemic data were also studied.Finally,the risk factors associated with mental health and the relationship between mental health and coping style were statistically analyzed.Results 32.3％ (54/167) patients with type 2 diabetes had mental health problems.Somatization disorder,obsessive-compulsive symptom and interpersonal sensitivity were the most common morbidities (16.8％,15.6％,15.6％,x2=38.8,P ＜0.01).Compared with patients without mental health problems,patients with immature coping style had higher scores in the questionnaire,including self-accusation [(4.50 ± 3.00)vs.(2.48 ± 2.18),P ＜0.01],avoidance [(5.63 ± 2.40) vs.(4.88 ± 2.09),P ＜0.01] and rationalization [(5.83 ± 2.40)vs.(4.88 ± 2.09),P ＜0.01].Conclusions Type 2 diabetic patient have more mental health problems,and the immature coping style have an opposite influence on mental health.Therefore,physicians should pay more attention to the early assessment and intervention of mental health in type 2 diabetics. Key words: Type 2 diabetes mellitus ; Mental health ; Coping style