Diabetes stigma is associated with negative treatment appraisals among adults with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes: results from the second Diabetes MILES – Australia (MILES‐2) survey. Issue 5 (13th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmes‐Truscott, E.; Browne, J. L.; Ventura, A. D.; Pouwer, F.; Speight, J.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 35:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 658
• Page End: 662
• Publication Date: 2018-03-13
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.13598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To explore factors associated with negative insulin appraisals among adults with Type 2 diabetes, including perceived and experienced diabetes stigma. Methods: The second Diabetes MILES – Australia study (MILES‐2) is a national survey of adults with diabetes, focused on behavioural and psychosocial issues. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the responses of 456 adults with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes (38% women; mean ± sd age: 61.2 ± 8.8 years; diabetes duration: 14.5 ± 7.5 years; years using insulin: 6.4 ± 5.5). Participants completed validated measures of perceived and experienced diabetes stigma (Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale), insulin appraisals [Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS)] and known correlates of insulin appraisals: diabetes‐specific distress (Problem Areas In Diabetes scale) and diabetes‐specific self‐efficacy (Confidence in Diabetes Self‐care scale). A multiple linear regression was conducted ( N = 279) to determine the contribution of those variables found to be associated with ITAS Negative scores. Results: Univariable analyses revealed negative insulin appraisals were associated with demographic and self‐care characteristics (age, employment status, BMI, years using insulin, injections per day), self‐efficacy, diabetes‐specific distress and diabetes stigma (all P < 0.01). Number of injections per day [regression coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.74 [0.08, 1.40]; P = 0.028], self‐efficacy [−0.12 [−0.19, −0.06]; P < 0.001] and diabetes stigma [0.39 (0.31, 0.46); P < 0.001) significantly and independently contributed to the final multivariable model, explaining 58% of the variance in ITAS Negative scores. The independent contribution of diabetes‐specific distress was suppressed following the inclusion of diabetes stigma. Conclusions: This study represents the first step in understanding the relationship between perceived and experienced diabetes stigma and negative insulin appraisals, and provides quantitative evidence for the strong, independent relationship between these two important constructs. What's new?: Some people with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes report psychological barriers to insulin use, e.g. concerns about injecting in public, being perceived by others as sick. Negative insulin appraisals are associated with increased diabetes‐specific distress and reduced diabetes‐specific self‐efficacy. This is the first study to examine the relationship between diabetes‐related stigma and negative insulin appraisals. People with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes who perceive and/or experience more diabetes stigma also report more negative insulin appraisals, independent of known correlates. Potential mechanisms for reducing negative insulin appraisals may include increasing diabetes‐specific self‐efficacy and minimizing diabetes stigma, e.g. through diabetes education using non‐judgemental language.