The psychological impact of living with diabetes: women's day-to-day experiences.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger experienced by women with type 2 diabetes and the impact these feelings have on their overall quality of life.

Methods: Four focus groups (2 white, 2 African American) were conducted by ethnically matched professional moderators. Sessions were audiotaped, and transcriptions were analyzed using an inductive approach. Forty-one women (mean age, 55.6 years; SD = 7.9) who had type 2 diabetes for an average of 8.7 years (SD = 6.3) participated. Forty-two percent of the sample was African American.

Results: The themes generated directly from the focus group data are (1) struggling with the changing health situation; (2) encountering challenges in relationships with self, family, and others; (3) worrying about the present and future; (4) bearing multiple responsibilities for self and others; and (5) choosing to take a break. Women also expressed feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger, which were primarily related to having diabetes as well as managing the multiple responsibilities of being a caregiver. There were more similarities than differences noted by race.

Conclusions: Women with type 2 diabetes experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger, which affect their health and overall quality of life. The findings suggest that health care providers should assess the psychological health of women with type 2 diabetes when developing plans of care. By understanding and addressing the emotional health of women with type 2 diabetes, the relationships between the patient, family, and health care provider may improve, allowing for more successful diabetes management.