Psychological Factors Influencing Self-Management Challenges in Type 2 Diabetes among Adult Patients at Lamu Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of psychological factors emotional distress, self-efficacy, and social support on the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adult patients at Lamu Hospital, Kenya. Despite self-management being a key component of diabetes care, many patients struggle with adherence, particularly in low-resource settings, where the psychological burden of diabetes remains underexplored. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was adopted, guided by the Roy Adaptation Model and Social Cognitive Theory. Data were collected from 265 adult T2DM patients using a validated questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using SPSS, applying chi-square tests to assess associations between psychological factors and self-management practices, alongside frequency distributions and percentages for descriptive analysis. Findings revealed a high prevalence of emotional distress, with 51 per cent reporting that diabetes consumed significant mental and physical energy. Gender significantly influenced self-efficacy in meal planning (χ² = 6.91, p = 0.009), while age impacted exercise self-efficacy (χ² = 12.32, p = 0.006). Additionally, 70 per cent of patients relied on social support. Emotional distress frequently interfered with self-management practices, including medication adherence, diet, physical activity, and blood sugar monitoring. These findings underscore the critical role of psychological factors in diabetes self-management. Integrating emotional support and self-efficacy-enhancing strategies into diabetes care may improve patient outcomes. Future research should explore the long-term effects of psychological interventions on diabetes management.