The Psychological and Social Aspects of Diabetes Mellitus
The research on the “Psychological and Social Aspects of Diabetes Mellitus in Cyprus” began in September 2005 and was completed in September 2007
Funding
- Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation
- Intercollege (Host Organisation)
End Users
- Ministry of Health
- Pancyprian Diabetic Association
- Social Welfare Services
Scientific Coordinator
Dr Constantinos N Phellas, Associate Professor at School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Intercollege, and Director of RUBSI
Coordinator
Dr Nicos Peristianis, Executive Director, Intercollege
Other Contributors
Intercollege:
- Dr Maria Karekla, Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor, School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Intercollege
Cyprus Sociological Association:
- Costas Constantinou, Sociologist - Researcher
- Christina Loizou, Sociologist - Researcher
Pancyprian Medical Association:
- Dr Doros G. Loizou, M.D., Specialist in Internal Medicine and Diabetes
Center for Diabetes, Athens Polyclinic:
- Dr Maria Benroubi, Senior Director of NHS Greece, specialist in training of medical and nursing caring groups for Diabetes
Main aims of the research:
- To investigate the inter-personal relationships between the persons living with Diabetes Mellitus with their immediate family environment
- To examine whether these people living with Diabetes Mellitus experience any psychological stress and social exclusion
- To explore whether there is any psycho-social support to both the patients and to their family
This study was the first of its kind to be conducted in Cyprus and it aimed to assist the end-users to develop effective and innovative educational and prevention programs on the issue of Diabetes Mellitus. The implementation of such support programs would contribute towards the active social participation of persons living with Diabetes Mellitus. The study also used data already collected and analysed from a previous epidemiological study on Diabetes Mellitus in Cyprus (Loizou et al, 2003-05)
Methodology
The methodology of the research was based on semi-structured in-depth interviews on both people living with diabetes (40 interviews) and members of their families (40 interviews) and focus groups. More specifically we conducted:
- 20 interviews with children living with Diabetes Type 1 (10 children aged 6-11 and 10 aged 12-18) and with one of their parents (20 interviews) and
- 20 interviews with adults living with Diabetes Type 2 (both with persons on tablets, as well as on insulin) and their spouses (20 interviews)
- Two focus groups covered two of the target groups which have been interviewed
Personal interviews were based on the following themes:
- First reaction after diagnosis
- Present attitude regarding diabetes
- Degree of acceptance of the disease
- Difficulties faced in everyday life
- Attitude and medicines and insulin injection
- Difficulties faced regarding treatment
- Level of satisfaction regarding treatment
- Level of satisfaction from the medical group that treats them
- Level of discipline to doctor’s instructions
- Attitudes towards diet
- Degree to which the person has changed his/her character and habits due to diabetes
- In the case of the adults, the degree to which it has affected the marital relationship (positively or negatively)
- In the case of children the degree in which parents feel overprotective for their children and whether there is a different attitude to the child with diabetes compared to their other children
- Investigation of the parameters affecting people, resulting to feeling of social exclusion. Such factors might be the everyday need of insulin injection, the compulsory frequent dependence on doctors, nursing staff, medicines, as well as the lack of necessary access to information on the disease
Analysis of Data
The data collected has been analysed through the use of (i) Content Analysis and (ii) MultiDimensional Scaling Analysis.
The results of the study were presented on the 6th of November 2007 (see News)