Learning Objective #1: " The learner will be able to know what factors contribute to integrating lifestyle in Thai women with type 2 diabetes."

Learning Objective #2: " The learner will be able to gain more knowledge about the new concept of integration in diabetes management."

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Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a major health problem in Thailand. To prevent complications, lifestyle changes are necessary; however, making existing lifestyle changes is difficult, with struggle, time and effort required. This is true in Thai women with type 2 diabetes because they do both family and job responsibilities. Managing multiple roles may relate to the difficulties in enduring with demands of diabetes. However, Thai women with type 2 diabetes try to find the new life patterns that are suitable for them then they can integrate diabetes regimens into their lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationships among personal, psychological and health care system factors that contribute to integrating lifestyle in Thai women with type 2 diabetes. The Roy Adaptation Model provided the theoretical framework. A total of 490 women with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete 5 questionnaires: the Problems Areas In Diabetes, the modified Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist-II, the modified Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Friends version, the modified Patient Reactions Assessment, and the Diabetes Questionnaires. Forty three percent of total variance in integrating lifestyle was explained by the proposed model. The relationships among 7 variables were tested and the final model did fit the data. Income, family support, and quality of patient-provider relationship had positive direct effect on perceived integrating lifestyle. Demands of diabetes and education had negative direct effect on perceived integrating lifestyle. However, friend support had non-significant direct effect on perceived integrating lifestyle. Finally, the proposed model can explain and predict integrating lifestyle in Thai women with type 2 diabetes and provide more options for better interventions.

Keywords: Integrating lifestyle, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, women