Identifying the Key Components of Social Support for Patients Living with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Social Support Interventions

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes patients face insulin resistance and deficiency, requiring major lifestyle changes for effective management. Many struggle with self-management, increasing the risk of complications. Social support is crucial for better T2D management, improving psychosocial outcomes and quality of life. However, its mechanisms remain complex and not fully understood. Van Dam et al. (11) identified four key support types—informational, emotional, tangible, and appraisal—which help patients adhere to treatment and reduce adverse outcomes. This meta-analysis examines past interventions to determine which support components impact HbA1c.A comprehensive search of four major databases (1990-2023) was conducted, focusing on studies involving adults diagnosed with T2D. A multilevel random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the 'metafor' package in R, accommodating multiple effect sizes across studies follow-ups.The initial search yielded 392 articles, with 17 studies included, plus 10 additional studies identified through citation searching. Various intervention types were analysed, including peer support, family support, community health workers, group visits, and couples interventions. While these interventions showed a positive effect on HbA1c levels, the multi-level modelling found no significant moderation by the number or type of support components. No specific support type emerged as a key factor in improving HbA1c.This meta-analysis highlights the significance of social support in managing T2D and suggests that structured social support should be integrated into management strategies. Further research is necessary to clarify the mechanisms through which different types of social support exert their effects and to develop more tailored interventions for T2D management.

Note:
Funding declaration: This research was funded by Liverpool John Moores University Healthcare and Health Promotion

Conflict of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, Meta-analysis, Diabetes self-management, Glycaemic Control, Social Support, Support components, Support interventions