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Subjective Wellbeing Among Adults with Diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES—Australia

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Abstract

This study examines the subjective wellbeing of Australian adults with diabetes who completed the Diabetes MILES—Australia survey, investigating by diabetes type and treatment, and by comparing with the subjective wellbeing of the general Australian adult population. In addition, the extent to which depression and socio-demographic factors account for subjective wellbeing is investigated. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have significantly lower subjective wellbeing compared to the general population, even after controlling for covariates (demographic and socio-economic status, diabetes duration, body mass index, number of diabetes-related complications, and depression). Furthermore, adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin to manage their condition report the lowest levels of subjective wellbeing, and are also most likely to report dissatisfaction with their current health. These findings suggest that living with diabetes, and in particular, living with type 2 diabetes and using insulin, strongly challenges the maintenance of subjective wellbeing.

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Acknowledgments

The Diabetes MILES—Australia 2011 Survey was funded by a National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) Strategic Development Grant. The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia. In addition, Diabetes MILES—Australia received an unrestricted educational grant from sanofi aventis to support the development of the study website www.diabetesMILES.org and miscellaneous activities.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Diabetes Australia – Vic, 570 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

    Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, Jessica L. Browne & Jane Speight

  2. School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia

    Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, Jessica L. Browne, Jane Speight & Robert A. Cummins

  3. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Centre of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg University, Postbus 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Frans Pouwer

  4. AHP Research Ltd, 16 Walden Way, Hornchurch, RM11 2LB, UK

    Jane Speight

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  1. Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott
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  2. Jessica L. Browne
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  4. Jane Speight
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  5. Robert A. Cummins
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott.

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Holmes-Truscott, E., Browne, J.L., Pouwer, F. et al. Subjective Wellbeing Among Adults with Diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES—Australia. J Happiness Stud 17, 1205–1217 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-015-9638-4

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