The aim of this study was to assess a brief ‘positive’ psychological intervention’s effectiveness in facilitating positive affect amongst people with diabetes

Davies, IG

Gibson, B

Newson, LM

Umeh, FK

LJMU Research Online (Liverpool John Moores University)

ReferencesPositive Affect as a Buffer Against Psychopathology in Diabetes Patients: A Randomised Controlled TrialMr Benjamin Gibson1, Dr Kanayo Umeh1, Dr Ian Davies2, & Dr Lisa Newson11Liverpool John Moores University; Faculty of Science; School of Natural Sciences & Psychology2Liverpool John Moores University; Faculty of Education, Health & Community; School of Sports Studies, Leisure and Nutrition.BackgroundMethodologyAim• Affective states are correlated with diabetes outcomes [1].• Negative affective states such as depression are associated with poorer HbA1c results via behavioural and direct biological pathways [2].• Research is now examining the potential buffering effects of positive affect (PA) in diabetes self-management [3].• Early studies have shown PA can even predict lower levels of mortality amongst certain populations [4].• As such, “positive” psychological interventions designed to facilitate PA are now being developed [5].Conclusions• Positive affect plays an important role in combating co-morbid mental illness.• Considering the negative influences of depression and anxiety on self-management, future treatments/therapies may do well to consider the benefits of facilitating positive affect.[1] Ciechanowski, P. S., Katon, W. J., & Russo, J. E. (2000). Depression and diabetes: Impact of depressive symptoms on adherence, function, and costs. Archives of Internal Medicine, 160(21), 3278-3285.[2] Strandberg, R. B., Graue, M., Wentzel-Larsen, T., Peyrot, M., & Rokne, B. (2014). Relationships of diabetes-specific distress, depression, anxiety, and overall well-being with HbA1c in adult persons with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 77(3), 174-179.[3] Tran, V., Wiebe, D. J., Fortenberry, K. T., Butler, J. M., & Berg, C. A. (2011). Benefit finding, affective reactions to diabetes stress, and diabetes management among early adolescents. Health Psychology, 30(2), 212.[4] Moskowitz, J. T., Epel, E. S., & Acree, M. (2008). Positive affect uniquely predicts lower risk of mortality in people with diabetes. Health Psychology, 27(1S), S73. [5] Cohn, M. A., Pietrucha, M. E., Saslow, L. R., Hult, J. R., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2014). An online positive affect skills intervention reduces depression in adults with type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(6), 523-534. Contact DetailsProject Lead: Mr Benjamin Gibson B.Gibson@2016.ljmu.ac.uk@bgibson9 Director of Studies: Dr Kanayo Umeh F.K.Umeh@ljmu.ac.uk• 33 people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes signed up to a four-week intervention study.• The intervention was based on an existing protocol designed to help people express their emotions, set goals, and restructure their priorities.• At baseline, participants were randomised to either receive the intervention immediately or at the end of the of the study period.• They then completed questionnaires that assessed the frequency of positive and negative affect as well as the existence of symptoms of anxiety and depression.• The aim of this study was to assess a brief ‘positive’ psychological intervention’s effectiveness in facilitating positive affect amongst people with diabetes.Results• Analysis of this phase of the study revealed a significant link between experience of affect and psychopathology (p < .05).• Though it is to be expected that more negative emotions would correlate with higher levels of anxiety and depression, the results also showed that participants who reported a higher frequency of positive emotions had significantly lower levels of anxiety (r = -0.54)…• …and depression (r = -0.63).• This implies a buffering effect.Self-ManagementNeg AffectPosAffectHbA1cNegAffectDiet, Physical ExcerciseNeuroendocrine/cardiovascular/inflammatory responsesDiscussion• Positive emotions were shown to buffer against anxiety and depression in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.• This supports findings from similar positive intervention trials [5]. • As people appear to better adapt over time, this study also uniquely suggests that the newly diagnosed may benefit most from positive interventions.• The study’s final results will reveal more about the link between positive affect and diabetes self-management.02468101214160 10 20 30 40 50 60AnxietyPositive Affect02468101214160 10 20 30 40 50 60DepressionPositive Affect• However, these associations were negated after controlling for time since diagnosis. Results showed that the longer a person had diabetes, the more frequently they would experience positive emotions.Results (cont.)

Positive Affect as a Buffer Against Psychopathology in Diabetes Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/8265/2/DiabetesUKPOSTER%20March%202018.pdf

Positive Affect as a Buffer Against Psychopathology in Diabetes Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

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