Abstract
Background: This study investigated the role of partner relationships in the young person’s experience of diabetes. It was predicted that those people reporting a better quality relationship would report greater social support and better diabetes management. Method: Fifty young adults with diabetes and their spouse/partner completed web-based questionnaires. Results: A better quality relationship did not correlate with high reported levels of social support or with better diabetes management. Path analysis demonstrated, however, that for males with diabetes high reported quality of relationship predicted better diabetes management. Conclusions: Relationship quality does not generally predict better diabetes management; however, there may be a unique feature to good relationships that support men’s diabetes self-care.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aalto, A. M., & Uutela, A. (1997). Glycemic control, self-care behaviors, and psychosocial factors among insulin treated diabetics: A test of an extended health belief model.International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 191–214.
Argyle, M., & Furnham, M. (1987).Journal of Marriage & the Family, 45, 481–493.
British Psychological Society (2000). Code of conduct, ethical principles and guidelines. Leicester, UK: British Psychological Society Press.
Contreras, R., Hendrick, S. S., & Hendrick, C. (1996). Perspectives on martial love and satisfaction in Mexican American and Anglo-American couples.Journal of Counseling and Development, 74, 408–415.
Cook, C., Heath, F., & Thompson, R. L. (2001). Score reliability in Web- or internet-based surveys: Unnumbered graphic rating scales versus Likert-type scales.Educational & Psychological Measurement, 61, 697–706.
Gale, L., Bennett, P. D., & Tallon, D. (2001). Quality of partner relationship and emotional responses to a health threat.Psychology, Health & Medicine, 6, 373–386.
Hendrick, S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction.Journal of Marriage & the Family, 5, 93–98.
Internet World Statistics. (2006). Web Url: http://www. internetworldstats.com
La Greca, A. M., Auslander, W. F., Greco, P., Spetter, D., Fisher, E. B., & Santiago, J. V. (1995). I Get by with a little help from my family and friends: Adolescents’ support for diabetes care.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 20, 449–476.
Manne, S. L., & Zautra, A. (1989). Spouse criticism and support: Their association with coping and psychological adjustment among women with rheumatoid arthritis.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 608–617.
Primomo, E., Yates, B.C., & Woods, N. F. (1990). Social support for women during chronic illness: The relationship among sources and types to adjustment.Research in Nursing & Health, 13, 219–229.
Schafer, L. C., McCaul, K. D., & Glasgow, R. E. (1986). Supportive and nonsupportive family behaviors: Relationships to adherence and metabolic control in persons with type 1 diabetes.Diabetes Care, 9, 179–185.
Toobert, D. J., & Glasgow, R. E. (1994). Assessing diabetes self management: The summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaire. In C. Bradley (Ed.),Handbook of Psychology and Diabetes (pp. 351–375). Chur, Switzerland: Harwood Academic Publishers.
Yates, B. C. (1995). The relationships among social support and short- and long-term recovery outcomes in men with coronary heart disease.Research in Nursing and Health, 18, 193–203.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gillibrand, R., Stevenson, J. The role of partner relationships in the young person’s adherence to the diabetes self-care regime. Int. J. Behav. Med. 14, 151–155 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000186
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000186