Psychological Characteristics of Patients with Diabetes

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to establish the psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes. In the present study we included subjects with diabetes (n=60), and control group (n=62). In order to study the psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes, we have applied the following tests: Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ), Strategic Approach to Coping Scale (SACS), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3), Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (ABS II). The results of this study outlined psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes which consists of neurotic, anxious personality with a high level of activity, dysfunctional coping strategies like: indirect action, antisocial action, aggressive action and catastrophizing, irrational thinking and few maladaptive cognitive patterns. The study highlighted the need to restructure the maladaptive cognitive schemes, irrational beliefs, dysfunctional coping strategies for people with diabetes with a psychological program in order to improve endocrine symptoms and increase quality of life.