Relation between sense of coherence and glycemic control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

In this study, the authors examined the relation between glycemic control and sense of coherence (SOC) and the mediating role of psychological distress and of adherence to self-care behaviors in 67 people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In addition, 29 individuals without any chronic disease composed a control group. The authors determined glycemic control by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measures. The participants answered a questionnaire that included questions about medical data, an adherence to self-care behaviors inventory, Derogatis' Brief Symptoms Inventory, and Antonovsky's SOC scale. People with diabetes showed higher levels of psychological distress than matched controls, but similar SOC scores. A path analysis revealed that SOC was indirectly related to glycemic control, through adherence to self-care behaviors and psychological distress. Adherence did not mediate the effect of psychological distress on glycemic control. In addition, the type of diabetes of the subject was directly related to glycemic control. The model explained 38% of the variance of glycemic control. The results suggest a possible role of SOC in the psychological and physical wellbeing of people with diabetes. SOC should constitute a focus of further research, particularly studies of possible psychological intervention to enhance SOC in people with diabetes.