Effect of the Lazarus' Transactional Model-Based Intervention on Stress Control and Coping in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

One of the effective factors in preventing the complications of diabetes is stress management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on Lazarus’ Transactional Model on the level of stress in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 80 patients with type 2 diabetes. Stress levels, coping methods, and hemoglobin A1C were evaluated before the intervention and three months afterward. In the intervention group, five training sessions were held based on the strategies outlined in the model. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and analysis of covariance.

The perceived stress score in the intervention group decreased after the intervention. The results of the Pearson correlation test indicated a negative and significant relationship between the stress score and confrontive and optimistic coping strategies. Additionally, there was a positive and significant relationship between the stress score and methods of emotional adaptation and fatalism (p<0.001). Analysis of covariance revealed that, after adjusting for group effects, the intervention had a significant impact on the use of adaptive methods and stress levels (p<0.001).

Training and interventions aimed at utilizing coping approaches based on Lazarus’ Transactional Model of stress and adaptation is effective in controlling and reducing stress in patients with type 2 diabetes.