ABSTRACT
Self monitoring of diabetes requires technical knowledge and suitable diabetes oriented behaviour; the latter arises from the patient's psycho-affective functioning, maturity and self sufficiency. A group of 9 insulin dependent ambulatory, adult, diabetics met 15 times over 5 months. The somatic and psycho-affective aspects of the disease were approached by an original methodology. Group animation was focussed on the participants themselves. Dynamic mobilisation of the persons was sought by listening to their explicit and implicit requests, by acting out (case studies and role-playing), by restatement and questioning. Diabetes oriented and psycho-affective behaviours were assessed on the basis of questionnaires and statements. At the end of the study, the psycho-affective attitude of the participants towards their illness was modified. The aggressiveness, mockery and rejection of diabetes and diabetics, initially noted, were progressively replaced by self-awareness and acceptance. As a result, better adjustment of technical behaviour responses was noted. Without precluding any psychodynamic explanation (reunification of the person), this study suggests that the participant's reactions towards their own image can be improved with consequential educational benefit.
