Relationships Among Health Locus of Control, Psychosocial Status and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Adults

Background: Although a common thread among diabetic behavior is the importance of perceived glycemic control, little is known of the factors that lead to psychosocial status in this population. Purpose: We determine whether the psychosocial factors of health locus of control, self-efficacy, self-care behavior, and depression relate to glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Method: We used a descriptive correlational design. In total, 285 subjects were enrolled from diabetic outpatient clinics in Southern Taiwan. We applied the health locus of control, self-efficacy, self-care behavior and depression questionnaires. Glycemic control was assessed by HbA1c. Results: The internal health locus of control was significantly positively correlated with self-efficacy and self-care behavior, and significantly negatively correlated with depression. Combined depression and self-efficacy partly mediated the relationship between internal locus of control and self-care behavior (P.01), and completely mediated the relationship between external health locus of control and self-care behavior (P.01). Depression and initial HbA1c directly and significantly affected final HbA1c value. Higher depression had the worst HbA1c. Conclusion: Internal health locus of control was partly mediated the relationship between depression and self efficacy. The finding could form a basis for caring people with type 2 diabetes and provide a reference for further research.