Introduction: Stress is a major problem among patients with type I diabetes. In general, stress is affected by several factors, the most important of which are defense style and religiosity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress, defense style, and religiosity among patients with type I diabetes.

Methodology: In this descriptive, analytical, correlational study, all patients with type I diabetes, referring to Gharchak healthcare center in 2015, were recruited. In total, 110 patients were selected via simple random sampling. All subjects completed the defense style questionnaire (DSQ), religiosity questionnaire (RQ), and perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ). For data analysis, Pearson&rsquos correlation test and multivariate regression analysis were performed, using SPSS version 19.0.

Results: The findings showed a significant negative relationship between mature defense style, internal religiosity, and perceived stress among patients with type I diabetes. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was found between immature and neurotic defense styles, external religiosity, and perceived stress among these patients. In the predictive model, mature defense style, neurotic defense style, and internal religiosity predicted 43.81% of variance in perceived stress among patients with type I diabetes (P&le0.01).

Conclusion: Based on the present findings, therapists, counselors, and clinical psychologists should take these factors into account and design appropriate programs to decrease perceived stress among patients with type I diabetes.