Mediating role of disease acceptance in the relationship between social support and adherence to treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a widespread, chronic metabolic disease with significant consequences for public health. Poor adherence to treatment in type 2 diabetes patients is associated with inadequate glycemic control, increased medical costs, increased use of healthcare services, and increased mortality. Understanding how social support and disease acceptance influence treatment adherence can inform more effective diabetes management strategies. This study investigated the relationship between social support, disease acceptance, and treatment adherence in adults with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 332 individuals with type 2 diabetes in Türkiye. Data were collected using a patient information form, Acceptance of Illness Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and type 2 Diabetes Treatment Adherence Scale. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis. The regression analysis indicated significant effects of social support on treatment adherence (β=-0.312, p < 0.001) and disease acceptance (β = 0.267, p < 0.001) and of disease acceptance on treatment adherence (β=-0.378, p < 0.001). Additionally, disease acceptance partially mediated the relationship between social support and treatment adherence (β=-0.101, %95 Cl [-0.154, -0.055]). The findings showed that high levels of social support and illness acceptance can improve treatment adherence and that social support may also indirectly enhance treatment adherence by promoting illness acceptance.