An explanatory model of adjustment to type I diabetes based on attachment, coping, and self-regulation theories

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and test a model of adjustment to type I diabetes. Three hundred young adults (172 females and 128 males) with type I diabetes were asked to complete the Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI), the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ), Task-oriented subscale of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), D-39, and well-being subscale of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI). HbA1c was obtained from laboratory examination. Results from structural equation analysis partly supported the hypothesized model. Secure and avoidant attachment styles were found to have effects on illness perception, ambivalent attachment style did not have significant effect on illness perception. Three attachment styles had significant effect on task-oriented coping strategy. Avoidant attachment had negative direct effect on adjustment too. Regression effects of illness perception and task-oriented coping strategy on adjustment were positive. Therefore, positive illness perception and more usage of task-oriented coping strategy predict better adjustment to diabetes. So, the results confirmed the theoretical bases and empirical evidence of effectiveness of attachment styles in adjustment to chronic disease and can be helpful in devising preventive policies, determining high-risk maladjusted patients, and planning special psychological treatment.

Depression in Mexican Americans with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes

“…Many newly diagnosed patients initially downplay the seriousness of their illness (Thoolen et al , 2006) and full understanding of the implications of illness may take years (Lawson et al , 2008). Individual factors that influence the emotional response of diabetic patients to receiving the diagnosis include personality traits (Lyness et al , 1998), perceptions of illness, coping mechanisms (Bazzazian and Besharat, 2012) (Duangdao and Roesch, 2008) and severity of symptoms (Thoolen et al , 2006). An example of the complexity of this issues is the personality trait of “neuroticism” that is defined by sub-domains of worry and self-consciousness(Lane et al , 2000).…”

Dispositional Attachment Orientations, Contextual Variations in Attachment Security, and Compassion Fatigue Among Volunteers Working With Traumatized Individuals

“…Adult attachment research provides extensive evidence that being loved and supported by significant others, and the resulting sense of attachment security, contributes to positive mental representations of self and others and the adoption of constructive coping strategies (e.g., Holmberg, Lomore, Takacs, & Price, ; Otway & Carnelley, ; Pearce & Halford, ). Numerous cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies have shown that secure attachment is an inner resource that facilitates emotion regulation and coping in stressful and traumatic circumstances, whereas attachment insecurities, either anxiety or avoidance, increase the risk for emotional problems, maladjustment, and psychopathology (e.g., Bazzazian & Besharat, ; Lemche et al., ; Quirin, Pruessner, & Kuhl, ).…”

Apego y bienestar en mujeres en proceso de tratamiento del cáncer de mama.

“…32, nº 1 (enero) terpersonales y emocionales de los pacientes (Cerezo, OrtizTallo y Cardenal, 2009;Hernández et al, 2012). Mejorar los lazos con los otros significativos mejorará la eficiencia de los tratamientos (Kim, Carver, Deci y Kasser, 2008;Bazzazian y Besharat, 2012;Tan et al, 2005). Según los resultados, la intervención más eficaz para mejorar el bienestar de las mujeres en proceso de terapia de cáncer de mama es aquella que preste ayuda para afrontar las contrariedades diarias.…”