Psychological aspects of people suffering from diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The Human Being is a bio-psycho-social system, whose structural and functional complexity is reflected in the manifestations of disease. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that has an impact on the psychic and psychosocial functionality of the patients. OBJECTIVE: to study aspects of a psychological and psychosocial nature in people with diabetes mellitus. METHOD: Quasi-experimental research with a quantitative and comparative approach, consisting of 100 participants of both sexes: 50 subjects with diabetes mellitus in the age group 30 - 88 years and 50 subjects with identical socio-demographic characteristics, but who do not suffer from this disease. Methodological instruments used in data collection: Clinical-psychological interview; Socio-demographic questionnaire; Clinical-dynamic disease questionnaire; Self-assessment questionnaire of psychic functionality and performance in family, social and work activities. RESULTS: In the group of participants with diabetes mellitus, compared to the control group, there are statistically significant differences of greater expressiveness of psychological aspects, such as nervousness, irritability, anxiety, and depression, and lower in psychosocial manifestations such as work capacity, mental availability to socialize with friends and to collaborate within the family. However, although the values are also higher in the categories of anxiety and pessimism and tiredness / fatigue, the differences do not reach the statistically significant level. CONCLUSION: Suffering of diabetes mellitus has a negative impact on the psychic and psychosocial functionality of patients and, therefore, negative repercussions on style and quality of life; this justifies the implementation of support and psychological monitoring measures to facilitate and promote the acceptance of the disease, adherence to treatments and adaptation to the new reality of life.