Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing with middle-aged and older adults being those at highest risk for developing this disease. Additionally, the demands of type 2 diabetes self-management can become difficult with age, which can result in poorer glycemic control. The current study examined the relations of health literacy, diabetes-related distress, and diabetes self-efficacy on diabetes self-management among 65 adults aged 40-66 with type 2 diabetes. Age was found to be positively associated with health literacy, but negatively associated with diabetes self-care activities. Additionally, only diabetes self-efficacy was found to be a unique contributor to diabetes self-care activities when controlling for age and gender. Lastly, body mass index was found to be negatively associated with diabetes self-efficacy and diabetes self-care activities. Future studies should consider using a longitudinal design to better inform interventions for those at risk for inadequate glycemic control (i.e., overweight/obese individuals, older adults, those with low self-efficacy).
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Tomorrow D., "Health Literacy and Self-efficacy as correlates of Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Older Adults" (2012). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 4938.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4938