Communal Coping Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes

Overseen By Abigail Vaughn, B.A.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Carnegie Mellon University

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Major chronic illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

62 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on a coping intervention rather than medication changes.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Communal Coping Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes?

Research shows that communal coping, where couples work together to manage diabetes, can lead to better problem-solving, improved mood, and less stress. It also helps patients feel more supported and confident in managing their diabetes, leading to better long-term health outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Communal Coping Intervention safe for humans?

The research on Communal Coping Intervention, particularly in the context of type 2 diabetes, suggests it is beneficial for relationship and psychological health, but there is no specific mention of safety concerns or adverse effects in the studies reviewed. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

What makes the Communal Coping Intervention treatment unique for managing Type 2 Diabetes?

The Communal Coping Intervention is unique because it focuses on shared problem-solving and collaboration between patients and their partners, enhancing relationship quality and psychological health, which is different from traditional individual-focused diabetes management strategies. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The investigators plan to develop a communal coping intervention aimed at instilling a shared appraisal of diabetes and increasing patient-partner collaboration. To that end, the investigators will pilot the first randomized clinical trial of a brief communal coping intervention among couples in which one person has T12

Research Team

Vicki S Helgeson, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Carnegie Mellon University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with Type 2 Diabetes who are in a relationship where both partners are willing to participate. The study aims to see if working together as a couple can help manage diabetes better.

Inclusion Criteria

Reliable access to the internet at home

I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year.

Married or living with someone for at least one year who is willing to participate in the study as the study partner

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speakers

Partner does not consent to participate in study

Partner has diabetes

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Couples participate in a single session communal coping intervention followed by 7 days of text message prompts

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual), daily text messages

Daily Diary

Participants complete a daily diary for 14 consecutive days focusing on daily communication, mood, and patient self-care

2 weeks

Follow-up

An in-person follow-up interview takes place 6 weeks after the initial session to assess primary and secondary outcomes

6 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Communal Coping Intervention

Trial Overview The trial is testing a new strategy called 'Communal Coping Intervention' which encourages couples to work together in managing one partner's Type 2 Diabetes, aiming to improve health outcomes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Communal Coping Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Experimental: Communal Coping Intervention The intervention consists of a single session brief communal coping intervention followed by 7 days of intervention prompts delivered via text message to help couples generalize what they have learned into their daily life. There are 9 components to the intervention: establishment of rapport, shared stressor recollection, communal coping education, application of appraisal to diabetes, we-statements to reframe diabetes as shared, facilitated discussion between couple members to identify each person's needs with active listening, collaborative implementation intentions, EMI (ecological momentary intervention) text messaging for 7 days following intervention

Group II: Diabetes Education Attention Control Active Control 1 Intervention

These participants will receive diabetes education via a 15-20 minute videotape (as well the intervention group)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Carnegie Mellon University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

80

Recruited

540,000+

Findings from Research

Communal coping, where patients with type 2 diabetes and their spouses work together to address illness-related challenges, leads to greater support from spouses and better receptivity from patients, enhancing immediate interaction outcomes.

Over a 6-month period, communal coping by patients was linked to improved long-term diabetes outcomes, such as increased self-efficacy and reduced diabetes distress, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches in managing chronic illnesses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An examination of the communal coping process in recently diagnosed diabetes. Van Vleet, M., Helgeson, VS., Seltman, HJ., et al.[2020]

In a study of 119 heterosexual couples dealing with a recent Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, communal coping—where partners collaboratively address illness-related issues—was linked to improved problem-solving and mood for both partners.

The results indicated that communal coping positively influenced relationship quality and reduced psychological distress, suggesting that working together in managing diabetes can enhance overall well-being for couples.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Communally coping with diabetes: An observational investigation using the actor-partner interdependence model. Van Vleet, M., Helgeson, VS., Seltman, HJ., et al.[2021]

In a study of 199 couples where one partner had Type 1 diabetes, higher levels of shared illness appraisals between patients and spouses were linked to better self-care and fewer self-regulation failures in diabetes management.

However, when illness appraisals were less shared, collaborative and supportive strategies from spouses were associated with poorer self-care and higher blood glucose levels, indicating that the effectiveness of these strategies depends on the perception of shared illness between partners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily illness appraisal and collaboration in couples with type 1 diabetes. Berg, CA., Helgeson, VS., Tracy, EL., et al.[2021]

In a study of 86 couples managing type 2 diabetes, communal coping was found to improve relationship quality and reduce distress for patients with low avoidant attachment.

However, for patients with high avoidant attachment, communal coping led to lower relationship quality and higher distress, indicating that attachment style can significantly influence the effectiveness of communal coping strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I am a rock; I am an island: Implications of avoidant attachment for communal coping in adults with type 2 diabetes. Van Vleet, M., Helgeson, VS.[2021]

The paper presents a narrative intervention aimed at promoting communal coping among couples dealing with chronic illnesses, specifically diabetes, by encouraging them to view their health challenges as a shared problem.

This intervention is unique as it relies solely on a series of open-ended questions across eight modules, rather than providing direct instructions, fostering teamwork and collaboration without imposing solutions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Constructing We-ness: A Communal Coping Intervention for Couples Facing Chronic Illness. Rohrbaugh, MJ.[2021]

Communal coping, where partners collaboratively manage stressors, is linked to improved relationship and psychological functioning among couples dealing with type 2 diabetes, based on a study of 200 couples.

The benefits of communal coping vary by role, sex, and race; for instance, partner communal coping is more advantageous for patients, while men benefit more from their own coping, and White patients and Black spouses gain more from their own communal coping compared to the reverse.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Links of communal coping to relationship and psychological health in type 2 diabetes: actor-partner interdependence models involving role, sex, and race. Helgeson, VS., Naqvi, JB., Seltman, H., et al.[2022]

The study tested the communal coping model in the context of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and found that coping together as a family can lead to better health outcomes for patients, highlighting the importance of social support.

Three distinct types of communal coping were identified, suggesting that both shared cognitive appraisals and joint actions can positively influence family cohesion and individual outcomes in managing T2D.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing a Dimensional Versus a Typological Approach to the Communal Coping Model in the Context of Type 2 Diabetes. Basinger, ED.[2021]

The study analyzed interviews with 28 individuals with type 2 diabetes and their family members, revealing that the cognitive aspect of communal coping involves how family members perceive ownership of the problem and their influence over it.

Appraisals of the diabetes situation are shaped by the family's knowledge of the disease and the patient's changing health status, highlighting the importance of education and communication in managing chronic illnesses within families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Explicating the Appraisal Dimension of the Communal Coping Model. Basinger, ED.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An examination of the communal coping process in recently diagnosed diabetes. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Communally coping with diabetes: An observational investigation using the actor-partner interdependence model. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily illness appraisal and collaboration in couples with type 1 diabetes. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I am a rock; I am an island: Implications of avoidant attachment for communal coping in adults with type 2 diabetes. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Constructing We-ness: A Communal Coping Intervention for Couples Facing Chronic Illness. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Links of communal coping to relationship and psychological health in type 2 diabetes: actor-partner interdependence models involving role, sex, and race. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing a Dimensional Versus a Typological Approach to the Communal Coping Model in the Context of Type 2 Diabetes. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Explicating the Appraisal Dimension of the Communal Coping Model. [2022]