Spirituality and its domain-specific associations with diabetes distress in Indonesian older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The complexity of diabetes self-management in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) can contribute to an emotional response known as diabetes distress. We hypothesized that older adults with T2DM who report higher levels of spirituality would report lower diabetes distress.

This study aimed to examine the associations between specific domains of spirituality (meaning, peace, faith, relational) and diabetes distress in older adults diagnosed with T2DM in Indonesia.

This cross-sectional study included 198 older adults recruited from the geriatric center of a tertiary hospital in Central Java, Indonesia. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to examine associations between spirituality domains and diabetes distress.

Participants had a mean total spirituality score of 74.61 (SD = 9.36) and a mean diabetes distress score of 1.14 (SD = 0.19). Spirituality had a significant negative association with diabetes distress. Of the four spirituality domains, peace had the most prominent association (β = -0.276, p = 0.004), followed by faith (β = -0.199, p = 0.046). Additionally, monthly income was also a significant correlate (β = -0.153, p = 0.033). The final model explained 19.5% of the variance in diabetes distress.

Specific spirituality domains, particularly peace and faith, are associated with lower diabetes distress. These findings support further research and practice on integrating spiritual domains into diabetes care for older adults.