The mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between diabetes self-management ability and patient activation in older adults with type 2 diabetes

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of diabetes self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes and analyse its relationship with patient activation. Besides, the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between the two was assessed in the study.Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 200 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from the community of Yangzhou, China. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM), The Self-efficacy for Diabetes (SED), and The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA) were used in the questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS macro.Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation (p< 0.01) between diabetes self-management ability and patient activation (r=0.312) and self-efficacy (r=0.367). Self-efficacy partially mediated the effect between patient activation and self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes, and the mediating effect accounted for 49.33% of the total effect (p< 0.001).Conclusions: Older patients with type 2 diabetes in the community have a moderate level of self-management ability. Patient activation can improve patients' self-management ability through self-efficacy.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the level of diabetes self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with patient activation. It also assessed the mediating effect of self-efficacy on this relationship. A cross-sectional design was used to recruit 200 elderly patients from the community of Yangzhou, China. The results showed a significant positive correlation between diabetes self-management ability and patient activation and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between patient activation and self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes.