JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in rural China frequently exhibit inadequate diabetes self-management (DSM) and a reduced quality of life (QoL). Social support and self-efficacy are known to influence DSM and QoL. However, the pathways through which social support and self-efficacy impact DSM and QoL among T2D patients in rural China has yet to be fully elucidated.

Objective:

This study offers a foundation for developing policies in rural chronic disease management, thereby contributing to the improvement of T2D prevention and control in China and other developing countries.

Methods:

This study utilized a cross-sectional design, collecting data from a survey conducted between May and July 2021 on DSM and QoL among rural patients diagnosed with T2D in two townships in East China. All T2D patients were enrolled through cluster sampling from the township health center database, and a questionnaire survey was administered by investigators. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and multiple regression analyses were employed to explore the pathways through which social support influences DSM and QoL, as well as the mediating role of self-efficacy.

Results:

It was found that the DSM score (37.42±7.70) was less than half of the maximum theoretical score. The QoL score (48.92±8.88) accounted for 36% of the maximum theoretical score. Social support directly and positively affected the DSM and QoL of Chinese rural T2D patients (P < 0.01); an increase of 1 unit in social support was associated with a direct increment of 0.339 units in DSM and 0.397 units in QoL. Self-efficacy played a positive mediating role (P < 0.01), further increasing DSM and QoL by 0.147 and 0.159 units respectively. The mediating effect of self-efficacy accounted for 30.2% and 28.6% of the total effect of social support on DSM and QoL. Furthermore, the family and friend dimension of social support, along with the symptom and disease management dimensions of self-efficacy, were significantly associated with DSM or QoL (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

The study confirmed the direct and indirect influences of social support on DSM and QoL and elucidated the mediating effect of self-efficacy among rural T2D patients in eastern China. Interventions should be developed to enhance both social support and self-efficacy, creating a positive cycle of mutual reinforcement to improve DSM and QoL among this group.