THE ROLE OF FAMILY SUPPORT IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that significantly affects not only patients' physical health but also their psychological and social well-being. Quality of life (QoL) has become a critical outcome in diabetes care, as it reflects the overall impact of the disease and its management on patients’ daily lives. Family support is considered a crucial factor that can enhance patients' ability to cope with DM and improve their QoL. This study aims to systematically review recent literature on the role of family support in enhancing the quality of life of patients with DM. A systematic literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, with publications selected from 2019 to 2025. The study applied the PRISMA protocol and the PICOS framework to identify, screen, and analyze relevant articles. Ten observational studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. The findings indicate that various forms of family support—emotional, instrumental, and informational—positively influence treatment adherence, psychological resilience, and self-management behaviors, ultimately improving the quality of life of DM patients. The review highlights the importance of integrating family-based strategies into community and primary healthcare practices. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate culturally sensitive, family-centered intervention models that can sustainably support patients living with DM.