Spousal support and satisfaction with healthcare services as moderators between psychological morbidity and adherence to diet in Type 2 Diabetes patients

Objectives: This study analyzed the moderating role of partners’ support and satisfaction with
healthcare services in the relationship between psychological morbidity and adherence to diet
in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: Participants were 387 recently diagnosed
T2DM patients that answered the following instruments: Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-
Care Activities Measure, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, Multidimensional Diabetes
Questionnaire and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results: Partners’ positive and negative
support moderated the relationship between psychological morbidity and adherence to diet.
Satisfaction with healthcare services also moderated the relationship between psychological
morbidity and adherence to diet. Conclusions: Intervention programs to promote adherence to
diet in patients with type 2 diabetes should focus on partners’ support and patient satisfaction
with healthcare services.
This study is part of a research project PTDC/SAU-ESA/67581/2006 supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT).