The effects of a web-based intervention on psychosocial well-being among adults aged 60 and older with diabetes: a randomized trial

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a 6-month Web-based intervention on the psychosocial well-being of older adults with diabetes.

Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial (N - 62) comparing the effects of a 6-month Web-based intervention plus usual care with usual care alone among adults aged 60 years or older with diabetes. The outcomes included quality of life, depression, social support, and self-efficacy.

Results: The intervention group showed significant improvement, F(4.48) - 4.03 P - .007, when compared with the control group on measures of depression, quality of life, social support, and self-efficacy when controlling for all baseline outcome variables (age, gender, and number of years with diabetes).

Conclusions: These findings provide support for the conclusion that a Web-based intervention is effective in improving the psychosocial well-being of participants at a 6-month follow-up. Future research needs to investigate the long-term effectiveness of Web-based interventions for sustaining psychosocial well-being, including factors that may affect quality of life, such as diabetes-specific beliefs, attitudes, social support, and disease-specific coping skills.