Diabetes stress and health: Is aging a strength or a vulnerability?

The purpose of this work was to examine (1) relations of diabetes stress to psychological well-being and health, (2) links of age to such outcomes and (3) the extent to which age moderated relations from diabetes stress to outcomes. These aims were addressed in a diverse community sample of 207 individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, employing survey and daily diary methods. Participants reported age, diabetes distress, and psychological distress at baseline and 6 months later. Glycemic control also was assessed. Participants completed a 14-day daily diary protocol in which they reported daily diabetes stressors, mood, and self-care. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal results showed diabetes distress was associated with poorer outcomes. Daily diary data showed that individuals who reported more daily diabetes stressors reported poorer outcomes. Older age was linked to less psychological distress, but was unrelated to daily diabetes stressors. Older age attenuated relations of diabetes distress to outcomes.