LAUSR

Introduction Diabetes mellitus may negatively impact individuals’ occupational balance. This study seeks to compare occupational balance in people with and without diabetes and also explore the biological and psychological factors associated with occupational balance in people with diabetes. Method This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted using simple non-probability sampling. Participants’ occupational balance was evaluated by the Life Balance Inventory. Blood samples were taken from those with diabetes and analyzed. Psychological distress was also evaluated in the people with diabetes using the Diabetes Distress Scale. Results A total of 160 individuals, including 80 people with diabetes and 80 people without diabetes, participated in this study. The mean occupational balance scores for people with and without diabetes were 2.56 and 2.61, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in occupational balance. Distress was the only significant factor related to occupational balance in people with diabetes (p < 0.05). Conclusion Distress was the only bio-psychological factor associated with occupational balance in people with diabetes. A higher level of distress is associated with lower occupational balance and also poor glycemic control in this population.