The effect of the level of social support perceived by elderly individuals on diabetes self-management after the pandemic period

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of social support perceived by elderly individuals on diabetes self-management after the pandemic period.The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Family Health Centre No. 1 in Menderes district of Izmir between July 2023 and December 2023. The sample consisted of 334 people who applied to Menderes Family Health Centre No. 1 on the specified dates, met the inclusion criteria and volunteered to participate. Sociodemographic Form, Diabetes Self-Management Scale and Social Support in Chronic Diseases Scale-TR were used as data collection tools. SPSS 25.0 programme was used for statistical analysis of the data.58.4% of the participants were female and 61.7% were over 65 years of age. 61.7% of the participants lived with their spouses. The diabetes self-management score was found to be 183.22 in women and 60.24 in women in the scale of social support in chronic diseases. The effect of social support on diabetes self-management was 16%. A statistically significant relationship was found between social support in chronic diseases and diabetes self-management (p<0.05). In the study, it was determined that the level of social support perceived after the pandemic period positively affected diabetes self-management. It was determined that the participants had high social support scores in chronic diseases, but their diabetes self-management scale scores were low. It was determined that female participants had higher scores on social support and diabetes self-management. The ability of individuals with chronic diseases to manage the disease can be improved by strengthening their social support systems. Thus, it will be possible to protect the health of elderly individuals.