Johanna Shapiro, Ph.D.
Six insulin-dependent women with diabetes and their spouses were assessed prior to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy, and three months after implementation of CSII therapy. The pre-CSII interviews revealed that both patient and spouse were interested in the positive emotional consequences of improved metabolic control. However, patients were most interested in the personal benefits of metabolic stabilization, whereas spouses were more concerned about potential improvement of the marital relationship. Post-CSII interviews showed that most fears regarding CSII therapy expressed in the pre-CSII interview were not realized, but many unanticipated negative and positive responses to treatment were experienced.