The role of resilience on psychological adjustment and physical health in patients with diabetes

Abstract

Objective. This study used a longitudinal design to investigate the buffering role of resilience on worsening HbA_1c and self‐care behaviours in the face of rising diabetes‐related distress. Method. A total of 111 patients with diabetes completed surveys and had their glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) assessed at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up. Resilience was defined by a factor score of self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, self‐mastery and optimism. Diabetes‐related distress and self‐care behaviours were also assessed. Results. Baseline resilience, diabetes‐related distress and their interaction predicted physical health (HbA_1c) at 1 year. Patients with low, moderate and high resilience were identified. Those with low or moderate resilience levels showed a strong association between rising distress and worsening HbA_1c across time (r = .57, .56, respectively). However, those with high resilience scores did not show the same associations (r = .08). Low resilience was also associated with fewer self‐care behaviours when faced with increasing distress (r = −.55). These correlation coefficients remained significant after controlling for starting‐points. Conclusion. In patients with diabetes, resilience resources predicted future HbA_1c and buffered worsening HbA_1c and self‐care behaviours in the face of rising distress levels.