A systematic review of the relationships among psychosocial factors and coping in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus contributes to poor health outcomes including mortality, yet there is a gap in the literature when seeking to understand the influence of psychosocial factors on coping in this population. The paper presents a systematic review of quantitative studies that examined relationships among psychosocial determinants and coping in adults with type 2 diabetes. This review is the second layer of knowledge discovery for the concept, “Taking on a life-altering change is a rhythmical journey of experiencing ups and downs on the way to acceptance.” The life-altering change was determined to be a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the journey is the ups and downs of coping with the diagnosis as people work toward acceptance of type 2 diabetes. The review includes a synthesis of findings from 22 quantitative studies of psychosocial factors and coping in adults with type 2 diabetes. Anxiety, depression, stress, and diabetes distress were identified as key influential psychosocial factors. Increased social support was inversely related to emotional distress and coping styles were related to social well-being, psychological health, and physical health outcomes. The positive coping style of problem-focused coping was linked to improved psychological and physical health. Emotional responses to diagnosis were related to depression and anxiety. Negative coping styles of resignation, protest, or isolation were higher in women and linked to poorer quality of life, while avoidance was linked to increased diabetes-related distress and depressive symptoms.