인슐린비의존형 당뇨병환자들의 스트레스 지각

Stress Perception of Patients with Non-insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Stress perception and frequency of stressors were investigated in 78 inpatients with non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus, using GARS scale and other questionnaires. 78% of the patients were found to be psychosomatic. Among them, psychological stressors were more related to onset than to aggravation of the disease. Psychosomatic group was significantly higher in frequency of negative stressors during one-year period than nonpsychosom atic group, but there was no significant difference in stress perception between the two gruops of patients. In addition, no siginificant difference was found in stress perception and frequency of stressors between obese and nonobese types of patients. Sex, level of education, duration of illness, and severity of current symptoms were found to be variables having significant correlation with stress perception. These results indicate that in a considerable number of diabetic patients, psychological stressors did not affect stress perception but could play a role in either onset or aggravation of the illness. Thus, therapists should recognize the importance of psychosocial intervention as well as physical management for the diabetic patients.