Alexithymia, Diabetes Adherence and Self-care Behaviors among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Zahra Batool and Amna Khawar

Abstract

Diabetes is a non-curable, chronic, and prevalent disease that has become a major health concern worldwide. Pakistan ranks 3rd among diabetes-prevalent countries. People with diabetes are also known to commonly suffer from alexithymia, which is a personality construct with features that prevent the patient from identifying one's feelings and distinguishing them from bodily sensations. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship among alexithymia, diabetes adherence, and self-care behaviors among type 2 diabetes patients. A sample of 300 type 2 diabetes patients were approached through a purposive sampling technique. The study found that alexithymia has a positive correlation with poor diabetes adherence. Moreover, alexithymia also predicted poor self-care behaviors in patients. This study has implications for healthcare professionals, psychologists, and diabetes management societies in Pakistan. Diabetes patients need support for awareness programs, health interventions, and screening strategies to prevent problems related to alexithymia