Exploring the relationship between diabetes self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and glycemic control among men and women with type 2 diabetes.
Depression and low self-efficacy are both associated with worse glycemic control in adults with diabetes, but the relationship between these variables is poorly understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study examining associations between depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and glycemic control among men (n = 64) and women (n = 98) with type 2 diabetes to see if self-efficacy mediates the relationship between depression and glycemic control. Correlational and mediational analyses examined the relationship between these three variables for the sample as a whole and separately by sex. A significant association between depressive symptoms and glycemic control was found for men (0.34, P < 0.01) but not for women (0.05, P = 0.59). Path analysis suggested that, among men, self-efficacy mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control. We conclude that men with depressive symptoms and type 2 diabetes may need tailored interventions that improve their self-efficacy in order to achieve glycemic control.
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, 725 Faculty Office Tower, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3407, USA. cherrington@uab.edu
Andrea
A
Cherrington
Kenneth A
KA
Wallston
Russell L
RL
Rothman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult