BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 15;13(1):793. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03136-7.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine disorder during adolescence. Self-care behaviors are the cornerstone of diabetes management. Effective self-care behaviors require individuals to perform a range of complex daily tasks, including monitoring blood glucose, adhering to dietary recommendations, administering insulin, and recognizing symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemia. Two critical psychosocial and cognitive factors that influence the success of self-management are self-efficacy and health literacy. There are limited studies on the factors related to self-efficacy and health literacy associated with self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in the Arab World, including Palestine. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between self-efficacy, health literacy, select demographic variables, and self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in Palestine.
METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational design was used, and 156 adolescents aged 14-18 years were selected by a convenience sampling method from primary healthcare settings in Palestine between February and June 2024. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic variables, the Diabetic Health Literacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, and the Self-Care Inventory. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and point biserial correlation tests, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationships between the study variables.
RESULTS: Participants reported high levels of self-efficacy (M = 108.80, SD = 14.92), low levels of health literacy (M = 2.12, SD = 0.78), and low engagement in self-care behaviors (M = 33.82, SD = 7.79). A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (r = 0.396, p < 0.01). In contrast, age was negatively associated with self-care behaviors (r = -0.249, p < 0.01). Furthermore, self-efficacy and age were significant predictors of self-care behaviors (β = 0.196, p < 0.001; β = -1.256, p < 0.01, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: This study helps policymakers, healthcare providers, and parents develop strategies to enhance self-care behaviors through targeted interventions and educational programs. The findings may guide any future educational program or training sessions to improve self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM.
PMID:40665435 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-03136-7
