1 School of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
2 Discipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
3 Alliance for Research and Innovation in Wounds, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
4 Research Services, James Hardiman Library, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
5 Independent PPI Representative, Galway, Ireland.
6 Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.
7 Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
8 Department of Human Kinetics and Podiatric Medicine, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
9 Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK.
10 Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Objectives: To explore the emotional consequences of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) and examine the psychosocial factors that influence their progression, management and self care behaviours.

Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR standards. Studies were eligible if they examined emotional or psychosocial experiences of adults living with DFUs.

Results: Forty-nine studies were included: 28 cross sectional, 13 qualitative, 5 prospective, 2 randomized controlled trials and 1 case study. Individuals with DFUs experienced heightened emotional distress and substantially reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), largely due to physical limitations, challenges in diabetes self management and fear of future complications. Key psychosocial influences included low self-efficacy, feelings of powerlessness, loss of independence and perceived burdensomeness. Disparities related to gender, socio-economic status and cultural background further shaped emotional outcomes and self care behaviours.

Conclusions: Psychosocial factors substantially influence emotional well-being, treatment adherence and wound healing in people living with DFUs. Integrating psychosocial assessment, tailored education and emotional support into standard care may improve outcomes.

Practice implications: Routine psychological screening, health literacy-sensitive education and multidisciplinary counselling should be incorporated into DFU management to enhance self care and quality of life.