Relationship between Coping Strategies and Quality of Life among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Selected Secondary Healthcare Facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Coping strategies play a central role in determining psychological adjustment, self-management behaviours, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among individuals with chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, limited evidence exists on how specific coping styles influence HRQoL in Nigerian populations. Objective: To examine the relationship between coping strategies and HRQoL among patients with T2DM attending selected secondary healthcare facilities in Kaduna State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 adults with T2DM recruited from secondary healthcare facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires, including the Brief COPE Inventory and the WHOQOL-BREF. Coping strategies were categorized into five domains derived from the Brief COPE: Problem-focused, Social Support, Spiritual, Emotion-focused, and Cognitive Reframing. Spearman's rank-order correlation was used to assess associations between these coping domains and HRQoL indicators. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The majority of coping strategies showed no statistically significant correlation with HRQoL domains. Social support coping demonstrated a weak, negative correlation with physical functioning (r<sub>s</sub> = -0.125, p = 0.023). Cognitive reframing showed a weak, positive correlation with the pain impact facet of HRQoL (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.184, p < 0.001). No other significant relationships were found between problem-focused, emotion-focused, or spiritual coping and any HRQoL domain. Conclusion: Cognitive reframing appears modestly beneficial for pain management in T2DM patients, while excessive reliance on social support is associated with the physical functioning. These findings underscore the importance of promoting adaptive coping strategies within diabetes education programs.