FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus; family support; mental health; diabetes distress; self-care; nursingAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0420
Abstract
Introduction: Family support is a significant component in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to its relationship with emotional well-being, self-care, and treatment adherence. Objective: To analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the influence of family support on the mental health of individuals with T2DM. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, using databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online Library. Studies published between 2021 and 2026 involving adults with T2DM were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Of the 125 records identified, 20 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. Results: Findings revealed a predominantly favorable relationship between family support and mental health. The greatest consistency was observed regarding diabetes distress; favorable family functioning and collaborative support were linked to lower distress, whereas critical or detrimental involvement was associated with higher distress. Results regarding depression and anxiety were more variable. Family support was also favorably associated with psychological well-being, self-care, and treatment adherence. Conclusions: Family support is a key component of comprehensive care for individuals with T2DM, particularly for reducing diabetes distress and strengthening self-care. Its incorporation into nursing interventions should foster collaborative support that respects patient autonomy.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; family support; mental health; diabetes distress; self-care; nursing.
Downloads
References
Alzahrani O, Fletcher J, Hitos K. Quality of life and mental health measurements among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2023; 21(1): p. 27.
Genitsaridi I, Salpea P, Salim A, Sajjadi , Tomic D, James S, et al. 11th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas: global, regional, and national diabetes prevalence estimates for 2024 and projections for 2050. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2026 febrero; 14(2).
Teufel F, Orgutsova , Genitsaridi , Carrillo-Larco R, Varghese J, Marcus M, et al. Global, Regional, and National Estimates of Undiagnosed Diabetes in Adults: Findings From the 2025 IDF Diabetes Atlas. Diabetes Care. 2026 marzo; 49(3).
Cárdenas L, Cabezas M, Muñoz A, Proaño J, Miño C, Aguirre N. Prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress in an Ecuadorian outpatient population with type II diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study (STROBE). Medicine. 2022 septiembre; 101(39).
Garcia-Ulloa A, Miranda-Gil V, Díaz-Pineda M, Garnica-Carrillo M, Serrano-Pérez N, Tron-gómez M, et al. Comparison of Metabolic, Lifestyle and Mental Health Parameters in People with Diabetes and Relatives with and without Family Support. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2024 jan; 18(17).
INEC. Registro Estadísitico de camas y egresos hospitalarios. Reistro. Quito: Ministerio de Salud, Red Pública Integral de Salud (RPIS) y Red Complementaria; 2024.
Puig-García M, Henriques A, Bravo-Díaz A, Sanchís-Ramón , Amorim M, Morales-Garzón S, et al. Untangling the role of social support in type 2 diabetes: insights from a mixed methods study in Quito, Ecuador. Front Public Health. 2025 noviembre; 13(1668181).
Almubaid Z, Alhaj , Almosa O, Marikh M, Khan W. The Impact of Social Support on Health Outcomes of Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024 agosto; 16(8).
Madroumi R, Newson L, Umeh F, Poole H, Jones A. Identifying the key components of social support for patients living with type 2 diabetes: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of type 2 diabetes social support interventions. Published. 2024 agosto.
Page M, McKenzie J, Bossuyt P, Boutron , Hoffmann T, Mulrow C, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Research Methods & Reporting. 2021 marzo; 372(71).
Zhang Y, Li X, Bi Y, Kan Y, Liu H, Liu L, et al. Effects of family function, depression, and self-perceived burden on loneliness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a serial multiple mediation model. BMC Psychiatry. 2023 agosto; 636(23).
Hiefner A, Raman S, Woods S. Family Support and Type 2 Diabetes Self-management Behaviors in Underserved Latino/a/x Patients. Ann Behav Med. 2024 junio; 58(7).
Leukel P, Kollin S, Lewis B, Lee A. The influence of emotion regulation and family involvement on diabetes distress among adults with type 2 diabetes. J Behav Med. 2022 agosto; 45(6).
Roddy M, Nelson L, Spieker A, Greevy R, Mayberry L. Family Involvement and Diabetes Distress across Dyads for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Patient Educ Couns. 2023 marzo; 112(107719).
Anita D, Ilyas A, Wantonoro W. Family Support and Diabetic Distress in Diabetes Mellitus Type-2 Patients. Health Gate. 2025 abril; 3(2).
Zhang W, Weng T, Zhu W. Diabetes Distress and Self-Efficacy Mediate the Relationship Between Family Function and Coping in Young and Middle-Aged Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Back to Journals » Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity. 2025 mayo; 18.
Nelson L, Spieker A, Greevy R, Roddy M, LeStourgeon L, Bergner E, et al. Glycemic outcomes of a family-focused intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: Main, mediated, and subgroup effects from the FAMS 2.0 RCT. medRxiv. 2023 septiembre; 9(11).
Pakaya S, Katili A, Basir I. The Relationship Between Family Support And Medication Adherence Among Type II Diabetic Patients. An Idea Health Journal. 2024; 4(2).
Baker T, Hasanoff S, Aromataris E, Stone J, Leonardi-Bee J, Sears K. The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for analytical cross-sectional studies. JBI Evid Synth. 2026; 24(3).
Mayberry L, Greevy R, Huang LC, Zhao S, Berg C. Development of a Typology of Diabetes-Specific Family Functioning Among Adults With Type 2. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 2021 marzo; 55(10).
Mayberry L, Zhao s, Roddy M, Spieker A, Berg C, Nelson L, et al. Family Typology for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Longitudinal Stability and Validity for Diabetes Management and Well-being. Diabetes Care. 2023 noviembre; 46(11).
Zeren F, Canbolat O. The relationship between family support and the level of self care in type 2 diabetes patients. Prim Care Diabetes. 2023 agosto; 4.
Kandel S, Wichaidit W. Self-Care and Family Support among People with Type 2 Diabetes. Official Journal Health Science of Prince of Songkla University. 2021 junio; 39(1).
Zhu L, Wang J, Pan Z, Zhang W, Tang J, Yan H, et al. Effectiveness of a Family-Based Self-Management Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes Patients Receiving Family Doctor Contract Services: A Community-Based Randomized Controlled Trial. J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 junio; 16(21501319251330384).
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 GESTAR Arbitrated Scientific Journal in Health Research. ISSN: 2737-6273.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
