Associations between Positive Psychological Well-Being, Psychological Distress, and Physical Activity among Adults with Diabetes

Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) is associated with physical activity above and beyond psychological distress among adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if this association holds among people with diabetes. Data came from a subset of participants in the Whitehall 2 study who participated in an accelerometer sub-study and self reported having diabetes (n = 112). Baseline data (2007-2009) of PPWB, psychological distress, and diabetes status were self-reported; physical activity was directly measured via accelerometer at follow-up (2012-2013). In adjusted models, PPWB was not associated with physical activity among people with diabetes, β = 1.73, p = .098. Exploratory analyses indicated that diabetes status did not moderate associations between PPWB and physical activity. Results suggest that PPWB may not play a role in physical activity among adults with diabetes. Future research should test other positive psychological factors that are associated with physical activity among adults with diabetes.