ABSTRACT
Education and training for diabetes mellitus self-management is widely available and an essential part of many diabetes centres. Nonetheless, the majority of individuals with diabetes do not adhere to optimal self-management recommendations. It is believed that psychosocial issues play an important role in individuals' ability to undertake the extensive behavioural demands involved in managing diabetes. The goal of the present article is to provide an overview of psychosocial issues and suggest strategies for healthcare providers in supporting patients with the challenges of diabetes self-management. First, motivational enhancement strategies have the potential to augment patients' own motivation to engage in health behaviours. Second, behavior modification principles can increase patients' self-efficacy and their experiences of success. Third, managing distressing emotions, including anxiety, depression, distress specifically related to diabetes care, and fear of hypoglycemia, can facilitate motivation and ability to undertake diabetes self-management efforts. Recognizing and addressing psychosocial challenges allows healthcare providers to better support their patients in the demanding tasks of diabetes self-management.
