The Role of Self-efficacy and Social Support on Self-care in Older People With Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a common problem in older adults, which requires numerous life-style changes for optimizing blood glucose control. To target effectively self-care, interventions with young and middle-aged patients focus on self-efficacy and social support, but as yet there has been little focus on older people in these studies. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the effect of self-efficacy and social support on self-care among patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected from seventy-two patients (mean age 63.9 yrs) using structured interviews and self-report measures of diabetes-related self-efficacy (DES-SF), of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA), and of perceived social support (WSUD). Findings: Self-efficacy, but not social support was associated with self-care in the areas of diet and exercise. No mediators were found, but self-efficacy and social support were closely associated. Discussion: The consequences for improving self-care in older diabetic patients will be discussed.