The predictors of perceived stress in patients with type 2 diabetes in Turkey: styles of coping with stress and metabolic variables

Background The study was conducted to examine the relationship between metabolic control variables and the coping strategies of type 2 DM patients with stress perception. Methods The study design was a descriptive and cross-sectional survey. The study sample consisted of 153 patients who reported to the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic. Data were collected using the descriptive characteristic form, perceived stress scale, and the coping styles inventory. Results Patients' mean BMI was 28.82 +/- 7.14, and the mean HbA1c level was 10.31 +/- 2.75. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome identified in patients with type 2 DM was 68%. A negative correlation was determined between perceived stress and age and the problem-focused coping method, whereas a positive correlation was found between BMI, number of accompanying chronic diseases, insulin use period, waist circumference, and emotion-focused coping method and perceived stress. Conclusions The variable that most affects the stress perception levels of patients with diabetes mellitus is problem-focused coping. Following these results, teaching patients how to use efficient techniques for stress coping and providing support for psychosocial care is necessary.