Direct and indirect impacts of diabetic knowledge and social support on diabetes self-management

This research studied modeling and the direct and indirect impacts of diabetic knowledge and social support on diabetes self-management. In cross-sectional design study, 500 outpatients (245men and 255 women) with type II diabetes in Tehran Shariati Hpspital Clinics selected by convenience sampling. Data collected by demographical information questionnaire, diabetes self management scale (SDSCA), diabetic self-efficacy scale (DSES), belief of treatment effectiveness scale (BTES), social support scale (SOSS), diabetic knowledge scale (DKS) and doctor-patient relationship scale (PPCS) and also analyzed by structural equation modeling with LIZREL software. Direct impact of diabetic knowledge on diabetes self-management was significance and indirect impact of diabetic knowledge on diabetes self-management was significant by belief of treatment effectiveness and self-efficacy. Direct impact of social support on diabetes self-management was significance and indirect impact of social support on diabetes self-management was significant by belief of treatment effectiveness and self-efficacy. However, impacts of diabetic knowledge and social support on doctor-patient relationship were significant but this relationship does not affect diabetes self-management significantly. Diabetic knowledge and social support affect belief of treatment effectiveness and self-efficacy on diabetes self-management directly and indirectly. Therefore, in provision of self-management improvement programs and better management of diabetes, patient beliefs and its dependent variables are important for clinicians.