%0 Journal Article
%T The Efficacy of Optimism: Benefit Finding in the Treatment of Diabetes in Iranian Patients
%A Hossein Karimi Moonaghi
%A Hossein Namdar Areshtanab
%A Leila Jouybari
%J ISRN Nursing
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/371296
%X The incidence of diabetes mellitus is on the rise around the world. Middle Eastern countries will be facing a vast increase in the number of diabetes mellitus cases by 2030. Diagnosis of a chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus can be a shocking and life-altering event. Conversely, a diagnosis of a chronic illness can also offer the patient opportunities to change unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise, making them healthier than before their diagnosis. This is referred to as ¡°benefit finding¡±. This study reveals the many benefit findings of Iranian patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and illustrates how benefit finding can be an integral part of long-term patient care. 1. Introduction Diabetes mellitus is one of the most challenging and burdensome chronic diseases of the 21st century, and it is a growing threat to the world¡¯s public health [1]. Diabetes mellitus currently affects about 285 million adults worldwide and this figure is expected to rise to over 400 million adults by 2030 [2]. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is responsible for over 90% of all cases of diabetes [3]. Most new patients with diabetes are from developing countries and it seems that the Middle East is among the regions that will have the largest increase in the prevalence of diabetes by 2030. According to the research results, the prevalence of diabetes is about 8.7% in Iranians aged 25¨C64 years (9.2% in women and 7.5% in men). More than 1% of the Iranian urban population older than 20 years develops diabetes mellitus each year [4]. Diabetes mellitus can lead to serious complications and premature death [5]. Consequences of chronic diabetes include eye disease, circulatory problems and kidney failure, decreased quality of life, and increased use of health services [6]. The diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, such as diabetes, can be an extremely stressful and traumatic experience [7]. Studies have showed that living with diabetes has a negative impact on many aspects of daily life and the quality of life for people with diabetes [8]. Although negative outcomes of having an acute or chronic illness have received the most attention, studies can be found elucidating possible positive effects of serious illness [9]. However, some emerging evidence has shown that experience with life-threatening adversity can be an accelerator for personal growth and transformation. For example, research has found that patients may change the way they view themselves, their priorities, and their interactions with others in response to a health-related
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.nursing/2014/371296/