P-373: The role of emotional and spiritual intelligence in alleviating diabetes distress among young adults
N Altooblani, R Doumit, E Nassar, C Costanian, M -J Sanchez-RuizAbstract
Introduction
The management of Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1D) poses significant challenges, as individuals with T1D face numerous psychological difficulties in their daily lives and adherence to treatment regimens.
Objectives
The present study explores the role of cognitive (diabetes-related knowledge and locus of control), emotion-related (diabetes distress, trait emotional intelligence [EI], and satisfaction with life), and transcendental (spiritual intelligence and mindfulness) variables in self-management behaviors (SMB) and HbA1c (average blood sugar).
Methods
A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 146 young adults (M = 26.0, SD = 4.6) were recruited from a Diabetes Clinic in Bahrain. Hierarchical regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were utilized for statistical analysis.
Results
The SEM results highlighted a positive mediation relationship that Trait EI had on Glucose Management through Meaning (β =0.25, p=.002) and the effect that Meaning had on HbA1c through Glucose Management (β =-0.32, p=.005). The combined indirect effects that TEIQue and Meaning had on HbA1c through Glucose Management were also significant and negative (β =-0.2, p=.006). Regarding the variance explained by the model, 41% of the variance of Meaning was explained by Trait EI, 15% of Glucose Management by Meaning and indirectly TEIQue and 16% of HbA1c was explained by all the variables in the model through either direct or indirect effects.
Conclusions
Practical implications are discussed in terms of interventions aimed at combining spiritual and emotional competencies to improve self-management behaviors and decrease diabetes distress.