1Department of Nursing, The Graduate School, Chung-Ang University 2Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this studγ is to understand relations among perceived stress, stress coping method, self-rare behavior and Hemoglobin $A_1c$ of elderly diabetic mellitus patients. Method: Participants were 128 patients who were under medical treatment in outpatient department at C university hospital. The collected data were analyzed using technical statistics, frequency, percentage, T-test, ANOVA and person's correlation coefficient by SPSS 12.0. Result: There were positive correlation between self-care behavior and coping method based on emotions under the lower category of stress coping method. Hemoglobin $A_1c$ of patients had a negative correlation with physical exorcise of self coping method under the lower category. Perceived stress had also a negative correlation with emotions as coping method in the lower category and medication of self-care behavior. Conclusion: It was noted that elderly diabetic mellitus patients didn't much use a coping method based mainly problems and another method based emotions in case of perceived stress. The findings of this study will be useful for developing an nursing intervention program focused on elderly diabetic mellitus patients.