The ACBRD investigates the way personal beliefs about willpower can influence general emotional well-being and diabetes distress in type 2 diabetes
There is a false belief that good health is a matter of willpower or personal choice. In reality, managing a condition like diabetes requires the right combination of knowledge, skills, access and support. So, why are researchers interested in willpower?
Some research suggests that beliefs about willpower can shape how people handle stress and setbacks. For example, some people believe willpower is unlimited. They think they can push through challenges without running out of energy. Others see willpower as limited, meaning they feel they have only so much to give before they need a break.
Dr Ralph Geerling, a research fellow at the ACBRD, led a study to find out whether beliefs about willpower are linked to emotional health in type 2 diabetes. We expected that people who believe their willpower is strong may feel more confident in managing their diabetes and experience less diabetes distress.
What did the study involve?
An online survey was completed by 270 adults with type 2 diabetes. On average, they had been living with diabetes for 7 years. Adults who took part completed person-reported outcome measures about:
-
-
- Willpower beliefs,
-
-
-
- General and diabetes-specific self-confidence,
-
-
-
- General emotional well-being and diabetes distress,
-
-
-
- Personality.
-
What did the results show?
We found a link between willpower beliefs and general emotional well-being, emotional traits, and self-confidence. The link is weaker for diabetes distress, diabetes-specific confidence, personality traits like extraversion and conscientiousness, and age. After adjusting for other factors, willpower beliefs predict emotional well-being but not diabetes distress. But, emotional wellbeing is predictive of diabetes distress and confidence.
What does this mean?
Findings suggest that willpower beliefs may affect emotional well-being, which in turn could impact diabetes distress. Interventions that strengthen emotional well-being and self-belief could play a key role in type 2 diabetes care. Helping people build confidence in their ability to manage challenges and mood might reduce distress and improve long-term health outcomes. Future research could explore strategies like emotional regulation training and self-efficacy support tailored for diabetes.
Reference:
Geerling R, Holmes‐Truscott E, Speight J, Skinner T. The role of willpower beliefs in diabetes distress and general emotional well‐being in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 2025:e70035. doi.org/10.1111/dme.70035
Print This Post