Understanding the Relationship between Environmental Factors and Mental Health Status among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus  Patients: A Scoping Review

Norizzati Amsah; Zaleha Md Isa; Norfazilah Ahmad

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i9.16448

Norizzati Amsah Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Zaleha Md Isa Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Norfazilah Ahmad Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i9.16448

Keywords: Mental health; Diabetes mellitus; Environmental factors; Risk factor

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a wide range of health outcomes, including an increased risk of depression and anxiety and a decline in quality of life. Even though the significance of biopsychological factors in the mental health status of T2DM patients has been discussed in other studies, the role of environmental factors has been lacking. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the relationship between environmental factors and mental health status among T2DM patients.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews was utilized in this study. Using predetermined keywords, a systematic search was conducted on three electronic databases from 2005 to 2023, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Articles written in English, and studies focusing on the research question are among the inclusion criteria. Ten articles were extracted that were relevant to the research question.

Results: Poor socioeconomic status, urban areas, the influence of neighborhood, greenness, and air pollution had associations with mental health status among T2DM patients.

Conclusion: The possible implications of these factors for mental health demand further research and policy consideration.