There’s no sugar-coating psychological distress and illness perceptions in gestational diabetes mellitus: depression and anxiety are associated with negative illness perceptions

Objective: To gain an understanding of how women with gestational diabetes perceive their illness, and whether depressive/anxiety symptoms and/or psychological distress influence these illness perceptions. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 159 pregnant women aged 18–44 attending gestational diabetes clinics. Participants completed a questionnaire, which included the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), Kessler 10-item Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and psychiatric/general health items. Multiple regression was used to explore the relationship between EDS (total and anxiety subscale) scores and BIPQ scores, as well as between K-10 (total and anxiety subscale) scores and BIPQ scores. Results: Regression analysis revealed a positive association between EDS total/anxiety subscale scores and BIPQ total score, as well as between K-10 total/anxiety subscale scores and BIPQ total score, controlling for potentially confounding variables. There was a strong positive correlation between EDS total score and K-10 total score. The most frequently expressed concern about GDM was an adverse effect on their baby’s health. A poor diet was the most frequently reported perceived ‘cause’ of GDM. Conclusion: Greater severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and psychological distress, is associated with more negative illness perceptions of GDM in pregnant women.