Effect of type of diabetes, coping strategies, sex and optimism in social support

Abstract

We aimed to establish the effect of the type of diabetes, coping strategies, sex and optimism variables on social networks and perceived social support in patients with diabetes. A sample of 103 males and 197 females, divided into a Type 1 Diabetes group with a mean age of 29 years and a Type 2 Diabetes group with a mean age of 57 years, participated in a transactional design - causal field. A path analysis was run to verify assumed relations. The type of diabetes was found not to affect the perceived social support. Sex did not have a direct influence, although it had through relations mediated by optimism and coping skills variables. These last two determined the social support of the subjects, reason why we recommend building and applying clinical intervention programs teaching people with diabetes the necessary approximation skills.