Abstract:
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disorder that requires daily adherence to complex regimens for glucose control. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the capability for self-management of diabetes and the practices of health-promoting behaviors. Instruments used were the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile to measure health-promoting behaviors, the Insulin Management Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale to measure self-efficacy in diabetes management, and a demographic questionnaire.Fifty participants from the outpatients of a midwestern veterans hospital responded to the questionnaires. Results showed a moderately positive significant correlation between self-efficacy in diabetes management and health-promoting behaviors (r=.52, p<001).The findings of this study point the importance of higher levels of self-efficacy and participation in health-promoting behaviors for more effective management of diabetes and improved health and well-being.