The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Predicting Diabetes-Related Stress Based on Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Diabetes like many other diseases causes stress. Therefore, it is necessary and essential to examine diabetes-related stress in patients with diabetes in order to design programs to reduce this stress. As a result, the aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in predicting diabetes-related stress based on diabetes management self-efficacy.

Methodology: This research was a cross-sectional from type of correlation. The population of this research consisted of all patients with type 2 diabetes visiting Shariati Hospital, Imam Khomeini (RA) Hospital and Taban Diabetes and Health Specialized Polyclinic of Tehran city in 2024 year. A sample size of 333 individuals was considered, who after reviewing the inclusion criteria were selected using available sampling method. The research instruments included the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (Bijl et al., 1999), Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (Raes et al., 2011), and Diabetes Distress Scale (Polonsky et al., 2005). For data analysis were used the Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling in SPSS version 26 and SmartPLS version 3.

Findings: The findings of this study indicated that the model of predicting diabetes-related stress based on diabetes management self-efficacy with the mediating role of self-compassion had a good fit. In this model, the direct effect of diabetes management self-efficacy on self-compassion was positive and significant, and its effect on diabetes-related stress was negative and significant, and the direct effect of self-compassion on diabetes-related stress was negative and significant (P<0.001). Also, the indirect effect of diabetes management self-efficacy with mediated by self-compassion on diabetes-related stress was negative and significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the results of this research, to reduce diabetes-related stress it is possible to create conditions for enhance diabetes management self-efficacy and self-compassion.