Emotional adjustment and metabolic control in newly diagnosed diabetic persons.

Emotional reactions to diagnosis were examined in a random sample of newly detected diabetic patients (n = 71) and compared with the indicators of glycemic control in a one-year-follow-up period. The social and emotional factors subscale of the diabetes care profile was used to determine the subjectively experienced burden, negative feelings and positive coping abilities. The initial struggle against the disease indicated three characteristic emotional patterns. Feelings of being able to cope with the disease predominated in group 1 (n = 36), negative emotional reactions, but with the ability to cope were observed in group 2 (n = 17) and negative feelings combined with weak coping abilities in group 3 (n = 18). The long-term indicators of glycemic control were shown to be worst in group 3 and best in group 1. Subjective perception of the disease was not associated with sociodemographic variables, with the exception of perceived coping abilities which were better in more educated persons and those with more familial support.