Diabetic Mellitus Predicts Psychological Problems and Decreased Marital Satisfaction among Patients
Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus, Psychological Problems, Depression, Anxiety, Marital Satisfaction, Chronic Illness, Psychosocial ImpactAbstract
Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disorder, has far-reaching consequences beyond physiological complications, significantly affecting psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships. This study aims to explore the predictive relationship between diabetes mellitus, psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress), and marital satisfaction among adult patients. A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted on a sample of adult individuals diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics and diabetes support groups. Standardized psychological assessment tools, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS), were used to measure psychological distress and marital satisfaction, respectively. Demographic and clinical data were also collected. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between diabetes duration and levels of psychological distress. Patients with longer disease duration and poor glycemic control reported higher levels of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, these psychological disturbances were significantly associated with lower scores on marital satisfaction, particularly in domains of emotional intimacy and conflict resolution. Regression analysis confirmed that both the presence of diabetes and elevated psychological distress independently predicted reduced marital satisfaction. Diabetes Mellitus significantly predicts psychological problems, which in turn adversely affect marital satisfaction. These findings highlight the need for integrated psychosocial interventions as part of diabetes management. Health care providers should adopt a holistic approach that includes mental health support and couples counseling to improve both psychological outcomes and relationship quality in diabetic patients.
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