Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the ongoing aging of the population, older adults have become the demographic most affected by type 2 diabetes. The high incidence in this group frequently leads to sustained hyperglycemia, which contributes to the early onset of diabetes-related complications. These complications can lead to disability and increased mortality. Understanding patients’perception of the risk of complications and its association with medical coping strategies is essential for the management of type 2 diabetes. Perceived risk influences the adoption of coping behaviors; however, few studies have examined the correlation between these variables. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived complication risk and medical coping strategies among older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: From March to July 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (110 men, 48.2%; 118 women, 51.8%) recruited from the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital in Shanxi Province, China. General information questionnaires, diabetes risk perception scales, and medical coping modes questionnaire were used to collect data. RESULTS: The mean total score for complication risk perception among older adults with type 2 diabetes was 2.14 ± 0.23. Among the five dimensions of the Diabetes Risk Perception Scale, the highest mean score was observed in the “Worry” dimension (2.97 ± 0.40). Complication risk perception was negatively correlated with acceptance coping (r = − 0.579, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with avoidance (r = 0.197, p < 0.01) and resignation (r = 0.143, p < 0.05) coping strategies. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the importance of assessing and addressing perceived risk levels in this population, to promote proactive and effective coping mechanisms. Such efforts may help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications and enhance the quality of life for older adults with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the findings provide an evidence-based foundation for the development of targeted clinical interventions.