Effect of Extended Parallel Process Model on Self-efficacy of Diabetic Adolescents in Golestan Province, Iran

Adolescents often struggle with changes in blood sugar levels due to developing conditions. A major part of diabetes management is improving self-efficacy and increasing treatment-dependency. The education provided on theory-based approaches is considered one of the most basic methods of treatment and control of diseases. The extended parallel process model is also regarded as one of the healthcare training models. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the extended parallel process model on the self-efficacy of diabetic adolescents, Golestan Province, Iran, in 2019.

This classic interventional study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted on 50 diabetic adolescents in Golestan Province selected by simple random sampling method in 2019. The intervention group received an educational program based on the extended parallel process model in 5-6-people per group for 5 sessions of 45-60 min twice weekly. The required data were collected using a demographic form and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 23) using tables and mean scores for descriptive statistics and independent t-test, paired t-test, and ANOVA for inferential statistics.

The results of the ANOVA test, by removing the effect of the pretest, showed that teaching the extended parallel process model was effective on the self-efficacy of diabetic adolescents (Eta=0.63, P<0.01) predicting that 63% of posttest changes were attributed to the implementation of the intervention.

According to the findings, education based on the extended parallel process model and follow-ups after training sessions could increase the self-efficacy of adolescents with diabetes. Therefore, the findings of this study can be used to educate diabetic patients in clinics and medical centers.