Effective couple communication alters diabetes care, health outcomes

Would you have guessed that couple communication plays a critical role with managing type 2 diabetes? According to a research study conducted by academics at the University of Cape Town (UCT), good communication between two partners improves self-diabetes management, which improves overall health outcomes.

The study was published in PLOS Global Public Health – the medical journal that seeks to address deeply entrenched global inequities in public health and makes impactful research visible and accessible to health professionals, policy makers and local communities without barriers. The study also forms part of ongoing work carried out by UCT’s Chronic Diseases Initiative for Africa (CDIA) to develop and evaluate the Diabetes Together intervention. This intervention was developed in collaboration with Professor Nuala McGrath and a team of researchers at the University of Southhampton in the United Kingdom. It was designed not just to support people living with diabetes, but also their partners, and to recognise the crucial role they play in managing the condition.

A growing global health concern

Type 2 diabetes is a growing global health concern that affects the patient, their families and communities. In South Africa, approximately one in every nine adults live with the condition, which requires daily monitoring, consistent lifestyle changes and strict adherence to medication.

To study how couple dynamics and diabetes management link, researchers started with conducting a qualitative secondary analysis of data, collected from couples who participated in the Diabetes Together intervention. And the new study focused solely on the impact of couples’ communication. The research found that when partners engage in open and supportive communication, people living with diabetes find it easier to adhere to dietary guidelines and restrictions, manage stress and navigate the daily challenges associated with the condition.

“Our research suggests that strong communication between partners leads to more effective diabetes management.”

“Our research suggests that strong communication between partners leads to more effective diabetes management. This provides further evidence for the value of couple-focused interventions in supporting individuals living with chronic conditions,” said UCT researcher Professor Naomi Levitt.

What stands out

Following the completion of the research study, several findings stand out:

• Partner involvement is crucial – people living with diabetes reported that working alongside their partners made it easier to overcome health challenges together.
• Communication fosters better self-management – open discussions between the couple ensures the person living with diabetes remains compliant with their medication, which also leads to improved emotional well-being that ensures better lifestyle choices.
• Shared responsibility eases the burden – when partners actively participate in diabetes care, the responsibility is balanced, which reduces the stress placed on the individual living with the condition.
• Cultural and social dynamics matter – traditional gender roles and societal expectations hinder open communication. This highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions.

Thanks to the study’s success, researchers are now advocating for further investigation into the long-term benefits of the Diabetes Together intervention. These studies could further assess whether improved communication also correlates with better clinical outcomes like blood sugar control, weight management and mental well-being.

“Moving forward, we can build on these results to maximise the impact of future interventions, supporting couples to strengthen their communication skills and, ultimately, improving health outcomes in diabetes care and management,” said chief research officer at the CDIA, Associate Professor Peter Delobelle.