The Effect of Social Support on Compliance to Dietary Regimen in Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

사회적지지가 당뇨환자의 식사요법 실천에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social support on compliance to dietary regimen in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Two hundred eighty six adult non-insulin dependent diabetics from Seoul, Kyonggido, Kyongsangbukdo participated in the study. Researchers, dieticians, graduate students majoring in nutrition interviewed patients with a pre-structured questionnaire during June in 1998. The questionnaire included items about demographic factors, general characteristics about diabetes. social support, and compliance to dietary regimen. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation were used to analyze the data. The mean scores of support from family was 27.0(0∼44). support from relatives, friends, and colleagues was 14.7(0∼32). Mean score of intangible support from family was 19.9(0∼32) and 12.0(0∼24) from relatives, friends, and colleagues. Mean score of tangible support from family was 7.1 (0∼12) and 2.6(0∼8) from relatives, friends, and colleagues. The mean scores for compliance to dietary regimen was 31.6(0∼42). Regardless of type and source, there was significant(p<0.01) correlation between social support and dietary compliance. Therefore, inclusion of family members in nutrition education for diabetics is essential. It is necessary to find ways to increase social support from relatives, friends, and colleagues.