The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy in Type II Diabetes Patients

The theory of self-efficacy is based on the assumption that people’s beliefs about their abilities and talents have a favorable effect on their actions. It is the most important determinant of behavior. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy in type II diabetes (T2DM) patients.

In this analytical cross-sectional study, 128 T2DM patients were selected via simple random sampling. At first, the patients’ demographic data were recorded. Then, the persian version of Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) and EI questionnaire developed by Petrides and Furnham were completed.

The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 53.55 (±6.2) years. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the total scores of self-efficacy and EI (P-value: 0.001). Accordingly, increase in the EI score was accompanied with an increase in the score of self-efficacy.

EI plays an important role in nurturing self-efficacy beliefs and positive self-concepts in patients and promoting their mental and physical health status. Hence, training courses on EI components can make patients feel highly self-efficacious.