Cognitive and behavioral components of self-regulation as predictors of psychological well-being in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Context and relevance. Psychological well-being in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus depends not only on clinical indicators, but also on the ability to perceive, to interpret their disease and to regulate it behaviorally. The study was based on models by G. Leventhal, R. Lazarus and S. Folkman. Objective: to determine and analyze the contribution of cognitive and behavioral components of self-regulation, along with clinical factors, to the formation of psychological well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hypothesis. Psychological well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is negatively associated with presence of diabetic foot syndrome, and positively associated with such cognitive and behavioral components of self-regulation as disease perception, treatment adherence and constructive coping strategies. Methods and materials. The study involved patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 159): male (n = 58) and female (n = 101), without complications (n = 115) and with diabetic foot syndrome (n = 44), average age — 55.56 ± 13.14. The following methods were used: Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale. Results. The presence of diabetic foot syndrome, combined with a low level of disease control, weak treatment adherence and rare use of problem-solving planning strategy, significantly reduce psychological well-being. Behavioral components of self-regulation have a partial mediating effect between clinical factors of illness perception and the psychological states in patients. Conclusions. Diabetic foot syndrome has a direct and indirect negative impact on subjective well-being. Perception of illness controllability, treatment adherence and the use of coping strategies are components of self-regulation that indirectly affect the psychological well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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