Stigma, Social Comparison, and Psychological Distress in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes form a demographic characterized by an increased susceptibility to psychological distress arising from societal stigmatization and comparative evaluations with others. This study seeks to examine the impact of stigma in predicting psychological distress among type 2 diabetes patients, while also delving into the potential moderating effect of social comparison on this relationship. Employing a purposive sampling approach, data were gathered from a cohort of 100 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, aged between 30 and 55 years. The relevant variables—stigma, social comparison, and psychological distress—were assessed using the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DASS-21), Iowa Netherland Comparison Orientation scale (INCOM), and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), respectively. Various statistical analyses, including the Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient, Linear Regression, and moderation analysis, were executed. The results unveiled a statistically significant positive correlation between perceived stigma, social comparison, and psychological distress (r = .693-.793, p<.001) . Notably, an increased perception of stigma was linked to elevated levels of psychological distress. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the psychological well-being of individuals grappling with type 2 diabetes, elucidating the additional challenges they confront in their daily lives which should be given consideration while developing treatment plan.