Effect of diabetes self-efficacy on glycemic control, medication adherence, self-care behaviors, and quality of life in a predominantly low-income, minority population.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the effect of self-efficacy on glycemic control, self-care behaviors, and quality of life in low-income, minority adults with diabetes. METHODS Data on 378 participants were examined. Multiple linear regression assessed associations between self-efficacy, hemoglobin A1c, medication adherence, diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviors and quality of life. RESULTS Self-efficacy had modest correlations with glycemic control (r = -.250, P < .001), medication adherence (r = -.352, P < .001), diabetes knowledge (r = .118, P = .039), diet (r = .420, P < .001), exercise (r = .220, P < .001), blood sugar testing (r = .213, P < .001), foot care (r = .121, P = .032), and mental health related quality of life (r = .137, P = .017). In the regression model, self-efficacy was significantly associated with glycemic control (3 = -.104, 95% CI: -.157, -.051), medication adherence (3 = -.067, 95% CI: -.090, -.044), diet (3 = .150, 95% CI: .108, .191), exercise (-3 = 113, 95% CI: .065, .161), blood sugar testing (3 = .107, 95% CI: .049, .164) and mental health related quality of life (3 = .112, 95% CI: .051, .173). CONCLUSION Higher self-efficacy was associated with improved glycemic control, medication adherence, self-care behavior and mental health related quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Emphasis on self-efficacy is relevant for educational interventions developed for low-income, minority populations.