PURPOSE
This cross-sectional, correlational study examined the relationships of dia
betes-specific treatment barriers and self-efficacy with self-care behavior
s.
METHODS
A total of 309 people with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. All
of the factors were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Self-care behav
iors included exercise, diet, skipping medication, testing blood for glucos
e, adjusting insulin to avoid or correct hyperglycemia, and adjusting diet
to avoid or correct hypoglycemia.
RESULTS
Perceived barriers to carrying out self-care behaviors were associated with
worse diet and exercise behavior. Greater self-efficacy predicted more fre
quent blood glucose testing, less frequent skipping of medication and binge
eating, and closer adherence to an ideal diet. Nontraditional dimensions o
f self-efficacy were associated with worse self-care. Self-efficacy explain
ed 4% to 10% of the variance in diabetes self-care behaviors beyond that ac
counted for by patient characteristics and health beliefs about barriers.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study provided support for Rosenstock's proposal that
a person's self-perceived capability to carry out a behavior should be inco
rporated into an expanded health belief model.