Role of expressed emotion and gender in adversarial growth of people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The current study examined the role of expressed emotion and gender in the adversarial growth on a sample of 160 people with type 2 diabetes. Based on the correlational design, the Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale, Semantic Differential Scale-Family, and Silver Lining Questionnaire were administered individually on the participants. The results revealed that the expressed emotions as perceived by the participants significantly contributed to their adversarial growth during illness. The family's emotional involvement as perceived by the participants significantly predicted the presence of their adversarial growth, with men showing better growth than women. The findings indicate the importance of having a positive family environment for the positive growth of people with type 2 diabetes, which in turn plays a role in the process of management of the chronic illness.