How the spirituality of people impacts diabetes self-manangement (V1)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    'How does the spirituality of a group of people with type 2 diabetes, living in England, influence their coping and self-management of their condition?'

  • IRAS ID

    168308

  • Contact name

    Natasha Duke

  • Contact email

    nd2g13@soton.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Southampton

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    , NCT02661165

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    4 years, 6 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    This is an exploratory study of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is known that those who do not manage their T2D well suffer complications such as heart attacks and blindness (Diabetes UK 2013). Current literature demonstrates in other countries, the spirituality of people with T2D impacts their self-management and therefore the risk of developing diabetic complications (Egede et al. 2002; Hjelm et al. 2005;Jones et al. 2006; Polzer and Miles, 2007; Amirehsani 2011). Spirituality appears to be the product of human experience, forms part of the nature of being, and may (or may not) involve belief or worship of a Deity/deities (McSherry 2010). In the UK, spiritual assessment is not a usual part of diabetes care. This study seeks to understand if and how the spirituality of a small group of British people with T2D impacts their coping and self-management behaviours of diet and exercise. Good diet and exercise are crucial in the reduction of blood sugars, to reduce the risk of diabetic complications.

    Adult participants will be recruited from NHS Diabetes Clinics/Education Classes for two recorded interviews with the researcher, one month apart. The two interviews are likely to be 30-120 minutes each, approximately one month apart. Participants will have also consented to their diabetes treatment records being accessed to view bio-statistical markers (e.g. blood glucose, T2D medicines).

    Interviews and bio-statistical markers will be analysed to explore if and how spirituality influences Participants' coping, diet and exercise. Results will be used to inform clinicians when negotiating healthcare treatment options with individual patients, thus giving greater individualised care. This is in line with guidance from the National Institute of Health Clinical Effectiveness (2014 p8) for patients with T2D, that recommends ‘support of self-management attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and skills’.

    This part-time doctoral study should be completed by 2020.

  • REC name

    HSC REC B

  • REC reference

    16/NI/0089

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 May 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion