The Relationship between Social Support, Self-Efficacy and Characteristics of Women with Diabetes during Pregnancy.

Grażyna Iwanowicz-Palus,Marta Zarajczyk,Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah,Artur Wdowiak,Magdalena Korżyńska-Piętas,Agnieszka Bień,Justyna Krysa

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010304

Abstract

Background: One of the most common metabolic complications of pregnancy are carbohydrate metabolism disorders resulting in hyperglycemia. The aim of the study was the assessment of impact of socio-demographic variables on the levels of social support and self-efficacy and an investigation of whether there is and how the relationship between social support and self-efficacy is shaped in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. In this study 339 pregnant women with diabetes during pregnancy and 337 healthy pregnant women took part. Methods: The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a standardized interview questionnaire were used. Results: The respondents rated Perceived Instrumental Support higher (M = 3.52) than Perceived Emotional Support (M = 3.39). In contrast, Actually Received Support (M = 3.53) was rated higher compared to Support Seeking (M = 2.99) and Need for Support (M = 2.95). The mean generalized self-efficacy score was M = 31.58 in women with diabetes during pregnancy and M = 31.85 in healthy pregnant women. Conclusions: The research results obtained prove the existence of a relationship between GSES and BSSS scores. In pregnant women with diabetes and healthy pregnant women, GSES increases with an increase in perceived support. Additionally, among pregnant women with diabetes, the level of GSES increases with an increase in actually received support. However, in the case of healthy pregnant women, a lower level of need for support is associated with higher level of generalized self-efficacy.

Highlights

Chair of Obstetrics Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 4-6 Staszica St., Chair and Department of Dental Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 4-6 Staszica St., Abstract: Background: One of the most common metabolic complications of pregnancy are carbohydrate metabolism disorders resulting in hyperglycemia
Diabetes in pregnancy can occur as pre-pregnancy diabetes and as hyperglycemia which is diagnosed for the first time in pregnancy
Hyperglycemia first detected during pregnancy, depending on the glycemic levels obtained during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), is classified as diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Summary

Introduction

The mean generalized self-efficacy score was M = 31.58 in women with diabetes during pregnancy and M = 31.85 in healthy pregnant women. Among pregnant women with diabetes, the level of GSES increases with an increase in received support. In the case of healthy pregnant women, a lower level of need for support is associated with higher level of generalized self-efficacy. Hyperglycemia first detected during pregnancy, depending on the glycemic levels obtained during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), is classified as diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is associated with short-term and long-term complications for both mother and child. Despite extensive prophylaxis and early detection of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in pregnancy, the problem will be present in the coming decades [1,2]

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