Objective: To examine gender differences on perceived psychosocial stress and causative stress factors among non-insulin dependent diabetic husbands and wives.
Methodology: In this cross sectional and quantitative study, through purposive sampling technique data were collected from 200 married couples (100 husbands and 100 wives) of non-insulin dependent diabetics from community of Rawalpindi. Demographic sheet, Revised Questionnaire on Stress in Diabetic Patients and Perception of Diabetes Mellitus Questionnaire were used for data collection.
Results: There was significant gender differences among married couples. Where, in sub scales of Life (t = 1.19*) non-insulin dependent diabetic wives scored higher as compare to husbands. Otherwise, in sub-scale of marriage (t = 2.22*) and sexual functioning (t = 1.18*) non-insulin dependent diabetic husbands scored higher at 0.05 significant levels. However, on QSD-R scale, husbands showed high level of causative stress factors in only one sub-scale of relationship with partner (t = 1.14*). Whereas, non-insulin dependent wives showed high scores on causative factors of stress related to leisure time (t = 2.23*), Depression/Fear of future (t = 0.41*), physical complaints (t = -.39*) and work (t = -1.19*) at 0.05 significant level.
Conclusion: Non-insulin diabetics need more psychosocial care integrating both husband and wife. Health care providers need to consider using different marital counselling approaches to improve quality of life, health beliefs and avoid consequences
Key words: Non-insulin diabetic, married couple, perceived psychosocial stress, type 2 diabetes.
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