The association between attitude, self-efficacy, and social support and adherence to diabetes self-care behavior

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is a chronic illness which requires lifelong self-care behaviors. The objective of the present research was to investigate the association of self-efficacy, attitude and social support with adherence to diabetes self-care behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, 403 diabetic patients of Zarandieh, Iran participated. They were evaluated by valid and reliable questionnaires comprised of items on diabetes self-care, self-efficacy in dealing with problems, social support and attitude towards self-care. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 applying t test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The results indicated that patients with higher self-care scores had better self-efficacy, social support, and attitude towards self-care. Moreover, self-efficacy, social support, and attitude towards self-care variables accounted for 39.5% of the total variance of self-care behavior. Furthermore, social support (β = 0.87), self-efficacy (β = 0.52), and attitude towards self-care (β = 0.42) were respectively the most important predictors of self-care behaviors. CONCLUSION: Social support, self-efficacy and attitude towards self-care behaviors were associated with self-care behaviors in patient with diabetes. They might suggest that educational programs specifically target these factors. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13098-018-0386-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.