Coping Strategies in People with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Interviews were conducted to elicit information about coping strategies and emotional outcome among 20 adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Coping strategies were identified and related to emotional outcome and metabolic control. When the most prominent strategy for each individual was considered, five patterns emerged: expertise, active routinization, passive routinization, ambiguity, and emotion-based action. Coping strategies and their metabolic and emotional outcomes were interrelated in a complex way. The best emotional and metabolic outcomes were associated with problem-solving based on self-monitoring of blood glucose and sensitivity to body sensations, along with logical reasoning from factual and experiential knowledge.