Factors associated with subsequent diabetes-related self-care activities: The role of social support and optimism.
FangFang Zhao, Riitta Suhonen, Jouko Katajisto and 1 others
PMID 31871703WHAT IT FOUND
Among adults with type 2 diabetes in China, practical support, using support, and optimism were linked to better self-care over three months.
Feeling supported alone was not. This is an association, not proof that boosting them improves care.
Key findings
01After accounting for earlier self-care, objective support and support use were linked to better self-care at three months, while subjective support was not.
02Optimism was linked to better self-care at three months.
03Social support was not indirectly linked to self-care through optimism.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is an observational survey, so it cannot show that social support or optimism caused better self-care. About 38% of participants were lost to follow-up, although the paper reports no significant baseline differences between those followed and those lost. Self-care, social support and optimism were based on self-report, which can be affected by response bias. Optimism was measured with a single item, and its validation in this sample was not tested. Social support and optimism were measured only at baseline, so changes over time were not examined. Missing data were imputed for BMI, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, which had about 15% missing values. The sample came from two hospitals in China and excluded people with serious complications, so it may not apply to other settings or more advanced diabetes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that improving social support or optimism will improve diabetes self-care. This study only found associations over three months, and optimism did not explain the link between social support and self-care.