Diabetes management: A study in relation to personality, self efficacy and gender

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the role of diabetes management in relation to personality, self efficacy and gender. Diabetes management has been considered with respect to diet, exercise, glucose testing and medication. Diabetes mellitus especially type 2 is very fast growing disease and common in more developing countries. The total sample of the study consists of 80 (40 male and 40 female) medically diagnosed as a type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at different diabetes clinics of Raipur city of Chhattisgarh state, coming from 25 to 75 yrs age group. For diabetes management the summary of diabetes self care activities (SDSCA) by Toobert and Glasgow (1994) was utilized to evaluate self care practices of type 2 diabetes patients. To assess self efficacy and personality factor, diabetes empowerment scale and 16 PF questionnaires were used respectively. Regression analysis was computed to analyze data. It is observed that self efficacy and gender doesn’t play significant role in SDSCA total and self care behavior is equally given importance in both genders. Higher level of ego strength (factor C) and self discipline (factor Q3) were associated with higher level of self care behavior. Best predictors for diet are insecurity (factor O) and self discipline (factor Q3) was positively significant. Best predicators for exercise are warmth (factor A) and shrewdness (factor N) was negatively significant. Best predicator for glucose testing is impulsivity (factor F) was positively significant and best predictors for medication are intelligence (factor B), ego strength (factor C) and tension (factor Q4) was positively significant.