Relationship Between Depression and Adherence to Treatment in Diabetes, Considering Social Support Networks, Coping Skills and Sex

From a biopsychosocial perspective, the aim of the study was to determine which diabetes model presents the best fit to the data: one in which treatment adherence predicts depression, or one in which depression predicts treatment adherence, considering in both cases social support, coping strategies, and sex. This was assessed via a causal cross-sectional design with a sample of 278 patients, with an average age of 59 years. Measures included the Three-dimensional Depression Questionnaire, Diabetics' Lifestyle Instrument, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and Social Network and Support Scale. Structural equation modeling showed a similar fit for indexes from both models; therefore, it can be stated that these models present an acceptable fit to the data. Being a woman, less avoidance strategy, greater support networks, and less treatment adherence, produces less depression. These results will allow researchers to design psychological interventions to increase treatment adherence, and to prevent depression.