Yes I can: The Role of self-efficacy in diabetes care

Based on the assumptions of social cognitive theory and self-regulation theory, the present study aimed at exploring psychosocial factors in self-care of diabetes (Edgar & Skinner, 2003; Iannotti et al., 2006; Nouwen et al., 2009). The study sample comprised N 1⁄4 99 patients with type 1 diabetes aged between 12 and 39 years. Participants completed the diabetes self-efficacy scale, the brief illness perceptions questionnaire, the WHO-five index and the summary of diabetes self-care activities scale. Results showed that illness perceptions (i.e. perceived consequences (r1⁄4􏰆0.28), personal control (r1⁄40.24), treatment control (r1⁄40.27), compre- hension (r1⁄40.27) and emotional response (r1⁄40.27)), as well as well-being (r1⁄40.42) and perceived diabetes self-efficacy (r 1⁄4 0.55) were significantly correlated with self-care. Furthermore, stepwise regression analyses elucidated self-efficacy (􏰈1⁄40.44) to be the most powerful predictor of self-care, as illness perceptions and well-being became non significant when introducing self-efficacy. Moreover, self-efficacy completely mediated the effect of well- being on self-care (Sobel t 1⁄4 3.74, p50.01). As for clinical implications of these results, it can be suggested that a stronger emphasise should be given on fostering patients’ confidence in their ability to effectively manage their diabetes.