Coping, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Authors:
  • TCTavia Yuk Ling Cheng
    Tavia Yuk Ling Cheng
  • KBKam Weng Boey
    Kam Weng Boey
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Abstract
This study examined the effects of coping and social support on the adaptation to Type II diabetes mellitus of elderly Chinese patients. The age of the subjects (N=200) ranged from 60 to 92 years (mean = 70.96, SD=5.84). The duration of illness since its first detection ranged from half a year to 36 years (mean = 9.14, SD=6.95). Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. The results indicated that the patients did not perceive diabetes as severely threatening to their daily activities. Compared with a normal sample of elderly people, these diabetic elderly patients did not exhibit a higher level of depressive symptoms as measured by GDS-15.Concealment of feelings was most significantly associated with depressive symptoms. General social support appeared to be more beneficial than diabetic-specific support. Support from friends played a more significant role in the adaptation to diabetes mellitus than support from family network.

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