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Fatalism, Diabetes Management Outcomes, and the Role of Religiosity

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether fatalistic beliefs were associated with elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to establish the role of religiosity in this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 183 Jewish adults with diabetes visiting a large medical center in northern Israel. Self-administered questionnaires assessed level of religiosity, fatalistic beliefs, diabetes management behaviors, and demographic/personal characteristics; laboratory tests were used to measure HbA1c. Multivariate regression indicated that fatalism was significantly associated with HbA1c (β = 0.51, p = 0.01). The association was no longer statistically significant after including self-reported religiosity in the model (β = 0.31, p = 0.13). This phenomenon is likely due to a confounding relationship between the religious/spiritual coping component of the fatalism index and self-reported religiosity (r = 0.69). The results indicate that addressing fatalistic attitudes may be a viable strategy for improving diabetes management, but call for a better understanding of the interplay between religiosity and fatalism in this context.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Clalit Healthcare Services for access to their patients and records and for assistance with conducting the surveys. We would also like to thank Lucas Shanholtzer and C. Richard Hofstetter for their review of the document.

Conflict of interest

Vincent Berardi, John Bellettiere, Orit Nativ, Slezak Ladislav, Melbourne F. Hovell, and Orna Baron-Epel have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with a financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computational Sciences Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182-1245, USA

    Vincent Berardi

  2. Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Vincent Berardi, John Bellettiere & Melbourne F. Hovell

  3. School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Orit Nativ & Orna Baron-Epel

  4. Clalit Healthcare Services, The Diabetes Clinic, Lin Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

    Slezak Ladislav

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  1. Vincent Berardi
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  2. John Bellettiere
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  5. Melbourne F. Hovell
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Correspondence to Vincent Berardi.

Appendix: Questionnaire

Appendix: Questionnaire

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Berardi, V., Bellettiere, J., Nativ, O. et al. Fatalism, Diabetes Management Outcomes, and the Role of Religiosity. J Relig Health 55, 602–617 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0067-9

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