Uncertainty and coping in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a worldwide public health problem. It generates uncertainty in those affected, which is the inability to give meaning to the health process. Several strategies help them cope with their disease situation. This research aimed to establish the level of uncertainty and the relationship with coping in diabetic patients. The methodology applied was quantitative correlational, and 52 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study participated. Two validated instruments were applied: the Mishel Merle Uncertainty Scale and the Tobin, Holroyd, Reynolds, and Kigal coping strategy inventory. EPIINFO7.2.6.0 was used for the analysis, descriptive statistics were applied, frequencies and percentages were calculated, and chi2 (p=0.005) was calculated to establish the relationship. The average population was 63, predominantly women, with basic education, without permanent employment, and more than three years of illness. The level of uncertainty in the category of stimulus framework and sources of structure was medium (82.69 % and 48.08 %, respectively), while in the cognitive ability, it was low (63.46 %); in coping strategies, it was found that in the dimension of self-criticism (46.15 %), social withdrawal (53.84 %) had a low level. There was no significant relationship between the level of uncertainty and coping when establishing the relationship (p=0.127). In the group of patients, uncertainty in the face of the disease persists. It is necessary to strengthen the dimensions of coping, especially in women.