THE PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES: THE IMPORTANCE OF GENDER AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Chronic medical problems, especially diabetes, are associated with psychiatric
disorders and seemingly lack of sufficient physical activity is one of the mediating factors that
simultaneously affect diabetes and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to investigate
psychological disorders in people with diabetes and their relation to the lack of physical activity.
Materials & Methods: This research was done with quasi-experimental method to study the
psychological disorders in patients with type II diabetes on 210 patients (110 females and 100 males)
who referred to Taleghani Diabetes Hospital in Kermanshah and completed demographic
questionnaire and SCL-90-R questionnaire.
Results: T-test showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with diabetes is over
36%. Male patients and female patients at higher hostility and paranoia, obsession, depression, and
psychosis were higher, but no difference was observed in other domains. ANOVA showed housewives
had more obsession and depression than self-employed people and governmental jobs. Also, their
interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism were higher than the self-employed participants. The other
two groups were less hostile than housewives.
Conclusion: The results show high prevalence of psychological problems in patients with diabetes and
its severity was higher in women and housewives. Given that most home owners are women, there
must be a relationship between their higher psychological problems and lower body mobility.