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Positive Psychological Characteristics in Diabetes: A Review

  • Psychosocial Aspects (KK Hood, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Positive psychological characteristics, such as optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience, have been increasingly associated with improved outcomes in medically ill individuals. However, there has been minimal systematic review of these characteristics and their associations with outcomes in people with diabetes. We aim to review these associations, their potential mediating mechanisms, and the evidence supporting interventions targeting these qualities. In people with diabetes, positive psychological characteristics are significantly associated with improved glycemic control, fewer complications, and reduced rates of mortality. Potential mechanisms mediating these associations include behavioral factors (e.g., improved treatment adherence), reduced inflammation, and improved neuroendocrine and autonomic functioning. Most psychosocial treatments in this population have focused on improving self-efficacy and resilience; such interventions may improve quality of life, well-being, and diabetes self-care. While untested in diabetes, interventions to boost other positive characteristics have been effective in other medically ill patients and may warrant further study in this cohort.

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Acknowledgments

Christopher M. Celano was provided a Dupont-Warren Fellowship to study positive psychological interventions in patients in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder from Harvard Medical School. Jeff C. Huffman has received grant funding for positive psychology research in cardiac patients from NIH/NHLBI.

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Conflict of Interest

Christopher M. Celano, Eleanor Beale, Shannon Moore, Deborah J. Wexler, and Jeff C. Huffman declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Christopher M. Celano, Deborah J. Wexler & Jeff C. Huffman

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital / Blake 11, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Christopher M. Celano, Eleanor E. Beale, Shannon V. Moore & Jeff C. Huffman

  3. Department of Medicine, Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Deborah J. Wexler

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  1. Christopher M. Celano
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  2. Eleanor E. Beale
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Correspondence to Christopher M. Celano.

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Celano, C.M., Beale, E.E., Moore, S.V. et al. Positive Psychological Characteristics in Diabetes: A Review. Curr Diab Rep 13, 917–929 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0430-8

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