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Exploring the relationship between diabetes self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and glycemic control among men and women with type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This research is funded with support from the American Diabetes Association (Novo Nordisk Clinical Research Award), the Pfizer Clear Health Communication Initiative, and the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research & Training Center (NIDDK 5P60DK020593). Dr. Rothman is also currently supported by an NIDDK Career Development Award (NIDDK 5K23DK065294) and Dr Cherrington by the Robert Wood Johnson Physician Faculty Scholars’ Program [047948].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 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, UK

    Andrea Cherrington

  2. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Kenneth A. Wallston & Russell L. Rothman

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  1. Andrea Cherrington
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Correspondence to Andrea Cherrington.

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Cherrington, A., Wallston, K.A. & Rothman, R.L. Exploring the relationship between diabetes self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and glycemic control among men and women with type 2 diabetes. J Behav Med 33, 81–89 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-009-9233-4

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