Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

15-Jan-2020

Arch Hellen Med, 37(1), January-February 2020, 116-119

SHORT REVIEW

The role of attachment type in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

F. Griva,¹ P. Thomakos,² O. Kepaptsoglou,² M. Ginieiri -Coccossis,1 A. Mitrakou,³ C. Zoupas,² G. Vaslamatzis¹
¹First Department of Psychiatry, "Eginition" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
²Diabetes Centre and Clinic, "Hygeia" General Hospital, Athens, ³Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

OBJECTIVE The management of a chronic condition such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is challenging, and adherence to a treatment regimen has been associated with the attachment style of the individual.

METHOD This study examined attachment types in 102 people with type 1 DM in relation to their glycemic control and awareness of hypoglycemia.

RESULTS Participants with disorganized attachment patterns were significantly less likely to report satisfactory hypoglycemia awareness, suggesting that attachment insecurity is associated with a higher risk of lack of awareness concerning hypoglycemia. Glycemic control was found to be associated with attachment avoidance, and individuals who are excessively self-reliant and perceive others as untrustworthy in providing care tended to have higher Hb1Ac levels.

CONCLUSIONS Because attachment insecurity has a strong impact on emotional dysregulation, which affects metabolic control, a better understanding of the role of attachment in the mechanisms of adherence to diabetic treatment regimens is clinically relevant in terms of targeted interventions for type 1 DM.

Key words: Attachment, Glycemic control, Hypoglycemia awareness, Type 1 diabetes mellitus.