Effect of Self-care Training on Perceived Stress Among Patients with Type II Diabetes: A Quasi-experimental Study

Type II diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases that its incidence is increasing among adolescents. Self-care training with a focus on reducing perceived stress leads to a decrease in the complications of diabetes and its better control. This study was conducted to assess the effect of self-care education on perceived stress among type II diabetes patients.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on control and intervention groups design. The statistical population consisted of diabetic patients referring to the diabetes clinic, among which 88 samples were selected by availability sampling method and divided into the case and control groups (n=44 in each) using the toss of a coin method. At first, the demographic form and the Perceived Stress Scale were completed by both groups. Subsequently, the intervention group participated in four 60-minute sessions of diabetes self-care training and received the routine training of the center, while the control group only received the routine training of the diabetes clinic. The Perceived Stress Scale was completed once more by both groups 4 weeks after the intervention. Data collection tools included the demographic form and Perceived Stress Scale. The gathered data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 using independent and dependent t-tests.

The results indicated that there was no significant difference in perceived stress between case and control groups before the intervention; however, a significant difference was observed in this regard after the intervention (P<0.05). It was revealed that self-care training significantly reduced perceived stress among diabetes patients (P<0.0001).

Based on the findings, self-care training had a positive effect on perceived stress reduction. Therefore, the use of self-care training programs along with pharmacological treatment is necessary for people with type II diabetes.