Relationship Between Optimism and the Meaning of Life Among the Diabetic Patients Referring to the Internal Department of Amiralmomenin Ali Hospital, Zabol, Iran in 2018

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease and the fourth leading cause of death in Western societies. Optimism improves the physical and mental function, reduces stress, as well as activating the immune system. In addition, the meaning of life leads to mental health, hope, and diminished mental disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between optimism and the meaning of life in diabetic patients.

This descriptive-correlational study was performed on the study population consisting of the diabetic patients referring to the internal department of Amiralmomenin Ali hospital, Zabol, Iran. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method. Three questionnaires of the demographic characteristics, meaning of life, and life-affirmation were completed by the subjects. All the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percent) and analytical statistics (one way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient) utilizing the SPSS software version 22.

The mean of optimism and the meaning of life were obtained as 19.46 and 29.78, respectively. The latter finding indicates that optimism and the meaning of life were in the desired level among the studied diabetic patients. According to the results of Pearson correlation test, optimism and the meaning of life have a significant correlation in the diabetic patients (P=0.001). It was observed in the participants that the higher the degree of optimism, the greater the meaning of life. Furthermore, none of the demographic characteristics demonstrated relationship with optimism and the meaning of life.

Considering the findings of this study, increased optimism seems to be effective in the meaning of life among the diabetic patients. On the other hand, the meaning of life plays role in adaptation to the disease and life problems through enhancing optimism. Consequently, it leads to change in the quality of and satisfaction with life among the individuals. It could be concluded that the health caregivers, nurses, and doctors should particularly take these issues into consideration.