Social support as described by Swedish people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Social support can buffer the level and effects of stress. Diabetes mellitus (DM) requires self-care that is demanding and might cause stress. No previous studies focusing perceptions of persons with DM from their own perspective on the content, need and desire they might have for social support. Aim: To identify and describe the meaning of support and its impact on the life-situation of people diagnosed with Tye 2 DM in relation to gender, age, and duration of DM. Methods: Mixed Methods design combining Qualitative data collected by semi-structured interviews and quantitative data collected by Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ). Purposive sample – explore a complex concept 40 Swedish persons diagnosed Type 2 DM Aged 32-80 years (Md 59 yrs),24 men and 16 women. Duration of DM 0.5-39 yrs. Findings:  Heterogenous sample according to age, employment, duration of DM   but Homogenous picture of findings.  Meaning of the concept of support/social support: focus mainly on informative and emotional support. Non-supportive situations were described concerning the relationship and communication with the physician. Physicians not listening to the patient and whom informants perceived lacked competence in diabetes care were often described.  Support experienced while being diagnosed with DM was expressed by ♀, irrespective of duration of DM and yr diagnosed, as limited or non-existent negatively affecting their entire life- situation. Many claimed lack of support when diabetes was detected. Often diagnosed at health care centres in primary health care. Lack of informative support expressed as lack of competence and limited knowledge about DM in health care staff. When being managed at diabetes clinics adequate support was experienced. Need for support w as perceived as individual, varying and differing with regard to gender. Men were perceived to need more support than women, as women were considered having better networks. Young were stated to need more than older, as they have less experience and are going to live longer. Men scored higher on emotional support (p=0.021), aid (p=0.045) and network (p=0.026) than women More women were married but no differences in emotional support, social status and aid. Differences for those with grandchildren in emotional support (p=0.039) and in functional network properties (p=0.047) but not in aid. 20% of informants had lost an important relationship previous year. Mean number of people in network 6.5, r 1-20. In conclusion, DM demands knowledge about managing the disease and self-care, why informative and emotional support is important to gain control over the situation. Informants had perceived lack of support, particularly during the process of diagnosis of DM, in their contact with physicians and with primary health care.    

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

social support

diabetes

patients perspective

mixed methods

Nursing

Omvårdnad

Vårdvetenskap

Caring Science

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)