Diabetes and Mental Health: A Scholarly Review

Mugo Moses H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Diabetes and mental health disorders are two of the most prevalent chronic conditions globally, each exerting a substantial burden on individuals, health systems, and societies. Increasing evidence demonstrates a complex, bidirectional relationship between diabetes and mental health conditions, whereby diabetes heightens vulnerability to psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders, while pre-existing mental health conditions increase the risk of developing diabetes and compromise disease management. This scholarly review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, mechanisms, and outcomes of co-occurring diabetes and mental health conditions across the life course. It examines biological, psychological, and social pathways linking these conditions, including systemic inflammation, glycemic dysregulation, self-management burden, and socioeconomic determinants. The review further evaluates the impact of mental health on diabetes outcomes, highlighting challenges in glycemic control, treatment adherence, quality of life, and long-term complications. Existing interventions targeting comorbidity ranging from psychosocial therapies and lifestyle modification to integrated collaborative care models are critically assessed, with attention to special populations such as children and adolescents, older adults, pregnant individuals, and refugees. Methodological limitations in the literature and gaps in policy and health system responses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are discussed. The review underscores the urgent need for integrated, person-centered care models and calls for robust longitudinal research to inform policy, clinical practice, and equitable healthcare delivery for individuals living with diabetes and mental health conditions.

Keywords: Diabetes, Mental health, Comorbidity, Integrated care and Public health.

 

CITE AS: Mugo Moses H. (2026). Diabetes and Mental Health: A Scholarly Review. IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 11(1):18-25. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAS/2026/1111825