Influence of gender and life orientation on depression and psychological functioning among persons living with diabetes

Abstract

Depression and psychological functioning in persons living with diabetes is of great concern more especially because of the increased report on diabetes health complications which has rippling effect on survival among this population. Indeed, literature attest to socio-demographic factors as been relevant to report of psychological functioning and depression. However, little is known about the vital role of personal factors such as gender and life orientation dimensions impact on depression and psychological functioning among persons living with diabetes. Consequently, the current study explored the influence of gender and life orientation on depression and psychological functioning in persons living with diabetes. Participants were 125 [34.4% males and 65.6% females] persons living with diabetes who were purposively sampled from a teaching hospital, in Ibadan. The age of respondents ranged between 30 and 90 years, with a mean age of 62.71 and standard deviation of 9.64. The study utilized the cross-sectional survey design and gathered data through psychometrically sound scales. Results revealed that life orientation dimensions (optimism and pessimism) were significant joint predictors of psychological functioning (F (1, 124) = 6.882; p < .001; R²= .224) and depression (F (1, 124) = 3.374; p < .01; R²= .124) among persons living with diabetes. Also, it was observed that gender differences exist for depression (t (123) = 2.117; P<.05) but not for psychological functioning (t (123) = -0.819; P>.05). The practical implications of findings for psychological intervention and management of persons living with diabetes mellitus were discussed.