THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ALEXITHYMIA

One of the important goals in control diabetes to maintain normal levels of glycated hemoglobin, but different social and psychological factors such as social support and alexithymia play role on process of this control. The purpose of present study was to examine the role of alexithymia on the association of social support and glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. This was a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 100 (60% females, 40-60 years) type 2 diabetic out-patients visiting the Labbafinejad hospital in 2013. The sample of the present study was a convenience sample. Measures of data collection included demographic and anthropometric questionnaires, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and test of glycated hemoglobin. The collected data were analyzed, using multiple regression analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficients showed a significant association between better reported perceived social support and lower alexithymia and glycated hemoglobin. Results of hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that social support explained 23% and alexithymia 31% of glycated hemoglobin variance. As well as, alexithymia moderated association between perceived social support and glycated hemoglobin in patient with type 2 diabetes. Based on the present data, alexithymia has moderate role on the association between perceived social support and glycated hemoglobin in patient with type 2 diabetes. The results of this study highlight effective psychological factors in glycated hemoglobin which can help in the conceptualization, planning and design of treatment policies for control and treatment of type 2 diabetes.