The relationship between perceived stigma and health-promoting self-care in adult patients with type 2 diabetes

ObjectivesThe study was conducted to examine the relationship between perceived self-stigma and health promotion self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study was conducted with 206 patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in the endocrinology clinic of a state hospital between July and September 2023 and met the study inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a patient identification form, the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-2) and the Diabetes Health Promotion Self-Care Scale (DHPSC). Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistical software (Version 22), which combines descriptive and analytical statistics.ResultsThe participants' DSAS-2 and DHPSC total mean scores were 47.85 +/- 17.81 and 87.83 +/- 19.19, respectively. A moderate, negative and statistically significant relationship was found between the participants' DSAS-2 and DHPSC total mean scores (r: 0.467, p:0.000), suggesting that health-promotion self-care is a predictor of perceived stigma.ConclusionThe study revealed that the patients with type 2 diabetes experienced moderate levels of stigma, and as the level of perceived stigma increased, their self-care behaviors were negatively affected.