The relationship between psychological stress and medication regimen adherence in patients with type ۲ diabetes

Background: Diabetes is considered one of the most arduous chronic diseases emotionally and behaviorally. This disease is an integral part of the patient’s lives, and not paying attention to the psychological stress stemming from it, not only leads to the occurrence of psychological symptoms and frustration, but also influences self-care behaviors, such as blood sugar control, proper use of medicines, and medication regimen adherence. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological stress and medication regimen adherence in patients with type ۲ diabetes. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on ۱۰۱ patients referring to diabetes clinics affiliated with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۲۳. Sampling was carried out using the convenience sampling method. A demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Problems Areas in Diabetes-۵ (PAID-۵) Scale, and the Mo risky Medication Adherence Scale-۸ (MMAS-۸) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s test, with SPSS-۲۶ software. Results: In the present research, ۶۸.۳% of the participants were female and ۳۱.۷% were male. The mean (standard deviation) stress score was ۹.۵۷۹ (۷.۴۴۸). Also, ۵۸.۴% of the participants had a stress score of ≥۸, indicating high psychological stress. The mean (standard deviation) of medication adherence was ۶.۰۵۴ (۱.۸۷۴), which based on the findings, ۴۳.۶% had a poor adherence score. Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed an inverse and significant statistical relationship between psychological stress and medication adherence (p =۰.۰۰۲, r=-۰.۳۰۷). Conclusion: According to the results, the higher the psychological stress of diabetic patients, the lower their medication adherence. It is suggested that targeted interventions should be designed to manage psychological stress and improve medication adherence in diabetic patients.

Keywords:

Psychological stress , Medication adherence , Type ۲ diabetic patients