The Relationship Between Gratitude and Blood Glucose Levels Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion or action. In addition to pharmacological management, non-pharmacological interventions focusing on psychological well-being are increasingly recognized as important components of diabetes care. Gratitude therapy, which emphasizes positive thinking and appreciation of life experiences, has been suggested to improve emotional regulation and physiological outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between gratitude and blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes mellitus. This study employed a quantitative correlational design. A total of 61 patients with elevated blood glucose levels were selected using simple random sampling from a population of 156 patients. Gratitude was measured as the independent variable, while blood glucose level was the dependent variable. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation test with a significance level of p < .05. The results showed that 85.2% of respondents had high levels of gratitude, while 70.5% had normal blood glucose levels. Statistical analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between gratitude and blood glucose levels (r = 0.649, p = .000), indicating a significant relationship. These findings suggest that higher levels of gratitude are associated with better glycemic control. Gratitude therapy may therefore be recommended as a complementary intervention to support blood glucose management in patients with diabetes mellitus.