The Effect of Positive Psychology-Based Education on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with an increasing prevalence that has many complications such as depression. The comprehensive management of the disease requires assessment and treatment of mental problems. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of stress management based on positive psychology on mental health and glycemic control.

This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted in Imam Ali Health Care Center, Isfahan City, Iran, in 2018. 80 women with diabetes mellitus were selected from the health center using convenience sampling method, and were assigned randomly to two groups of control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40). Both groups were under routine health care. In addition, the intervention group received 8 sessions of positive psychological education and 4 sessions of homework. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were evaluated before and after the intervention.

There was no significant difference in HBA1C and FBS between the two groups before intervention, but after it, the mean of HbA1C in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Moreover, depression, anxiety, and stress scores significantly decreased in the intervention group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. By modulating the effect of mental health score, there was no significant difference in HbA1C after intervention within the two groups.

Positive psychology is effective in decreasing depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as controlling HbA1c in women with diabetes mellitus.