The psychometric properties of the Diabetes Self‐Efficacy Scale in Saudis with type 2 diabetes

AIM: To assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Diabetes Self‐Efficacy Scale (A‐DSES). DESIGN: This study used a cross‐sectional design. METHODS: This study recruited 154 Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes at two primary healthcare centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Its instruments were the Diabetes Self‐Efficacy Scale and the Diabetes Self‐Management Questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the A‐DSES were assessed for reliability, including internal consistency and validity using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and criterion validity. RESULTS: The item‐total correlation coefficients were >0.30 for all items, ranging from 0.46 to 0.70. The Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was 0.86. One factor was extracted from the exploratory factor analysis (self‐efficacy for diabetes self‐management), and the one‐factor model showed an acceptable fit to the data in the confirmatory factor analysis. Diabetes self‐efficacy levels were positively correlated with diabetes self‐management skills (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), indicating criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the A‐DSES is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing self‐efficacy related to diabetes self‐management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The A‐DSES could be used in clinical practice and research to provide a reference for assessing self‐efficacy levels in areas of diabetes self‐management. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Participants were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of this research.