Abstract
Background: Diabetes distress, the emotional burden and stress related to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been linked to poor self-management and adverse health outcomes.
In Palestine, particularly in the North of West Bank, adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus face unique social and economic challenges that may exacerbate diabetes distress,
impacting their ability to maintain effective diabetes management. Addressing diabetes
distress is crucial for improving health outcomes and quality of life in this population, yet
research on its prevalence and associated factors in the North of West Bank is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes distress and identify its associated
demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the North of West Bank, Palestine.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 adults diagnosed with type
2 diabetes mellitus in various healthcare centers across the North of West Bank.
Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 and a sociodemographic
questionnaire, and additional clinical data such as HbA1c levels. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were employed to identify associations between diabetes distress and
demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors, with a focus on assessing the impact of
these variables on distress levels.
Results: Of the 423 eligible individuals approached, 404 participants were included in the
final analysis (response rate: 95.5%). The median age was 55 years (IQR: 49–63), with a
nearly equal gender distribution. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c >6.4%) was observed in
76.0% of participants, and 74.3% reported one or more comorbidities. High and moderate
levels of diabetic distress were reported by 29.0% and 25.2% of participants, respectively,
with emotional and regimen-related distress being the most prevalent domains. Significant
factors associated with higher distress included comorbidities, smoking, urban residence,
unemployment, living with family, and residence in Nablus. Multinomial logistic regression
revealed that absence of comorbidities, younger age, living alone, and non-urban residence
were protective factors against high distress (p < .05). The model explained 20.1% of the variance in distress levels (Nagelkerke R² = 0.201).
Conclusion: Diabetes distress is common among adults with type 2 diabetes and is significantly influenced by clinical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. Routine
screening and targeted psychosocial interventions are essential, especially for high-risk
groups, to improve both psychological well-being and diabetes outcomes.
Keywords: Diabetes Distress, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, North of West Bank Palestine,
Psychological Burden, Glycemic Control, Socioeconomic Factors, and Cross-Sectional
Study

Title

Discover Mental Health

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publisher Country

United States of America

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

2.7

Publication Type

Prtinted only

Volume

--

Year

2025

Pages

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