Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine disorder during adolescence. Self-care behaviors are the cornerstone of diabetes management. Effective self-care behaviors require individuals to perform a range of complex daily tasks, including monitoring blood glucose,...

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Main Authors: Fida Ayed, Malakeh. Z. Malak, Anas Shehadeh, Lubna Harazneh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Psychology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03136-7
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author Fida Ayed
Malakeh. Z. Malak
Anas Shehadeh
Lubna Harazneh
author_facet Fida Ayed
Malakeh. Z. Malak
Anas Shehadeh
Lubna Harazneh
author_sort Fida Ayed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine disorder during adolescence. Self-care behaviors are the cornerstone of diabetes management. Effective self-care behaviors require individuals to perform a range of complex daily tasks, including monitoring blood glucose, adhering to dietary recommendations, administering insulin, and recognizing symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemia. Two critical psychosocial and cognitive factors that influence the success of self-management are self-efficacy and health literacy. There are limited studies on the factors related to self-efficacy and health literacy associated with self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in the Arab World, including Palestine. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between self-efficacy, health literacy, select demographic variables, and self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in Palestine. Methods A cross-sectional correlational design was used, and 156 adolescents aged 14–18 years were selected by a convenience sampling method from primary healthcare settings in Palestine between February and June 2024. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic variables, the Diabetic Health Literacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, and the Self-Care Inventory. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and point biserial correlation tests, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results Participants reported high levels of self-efficacy (M = 108.80, SD = 14.92), low levels of health literacy (M = 2.12, SD = 0.78), and low engagement in self-care behaviors (M = 33.82, SD = 7.79). A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (r = 0.396, p < 0.01). In contrast, age was negatively associated with self-care behaviors (r = -0.249, p < 0.01). Furthermore, self-efficacy and age were significant predictors of self-care behaviors (β = 0.196, p < 0.001; β = -1.256, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions This study helps policymakers, healthcare providers, and parents develop strategies to enhance self-care behaviors through targeted interventions and educational programs. The findings may guide any future educational program or training sessions to improve self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM.
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spelling doaj-art-cbdac1c2c8034e8694b12944b9c90c902025-08-20T04:02:42ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111110.1186/s40359-025-03136-7Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional studyFida Ayed0Malakeh. Z. Malak1Anas Shehadeh2Lubna Harazneh3Head Nurse PICU, Registered Nurse, Palestine Medical ComplexCommunity Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Al- Zaytoonah University of JordanAmerican University of the Middle EastMental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Arab American UniversityAbstract Purpose Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine disorder during adolescence. Self-care behaviors are the cornerstone of diabetes management. Effective self-care behaviors require individuals to perform a range of complex daily tasks, including monitoring blood glucose, adhering to dietary recommendations, administering insulin, and recognizing symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemia. Two critical psychosocial and cognitive factors that influence the success of self-management are self-efficacy and health literacy. There are limited studies on the factors related to self-efficacy and health literacy associated with self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in the Arab World, including Palestine. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between self-efficacy, health literacy, select demographic variables, and self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM in Palestine. Methods A cross-sectional correlational design was used, and 156 adolescents aged 14–18 years were selected by a convenience sampling method from primary healthcare settings in Palestine between February and June 2024. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic variables, the Diabetic Health Literacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, and the Self-Care Inventory. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and point biserial correlation tests, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results Participants reported high levels of self-efficacy (M = 108.80, SD = 14.92), low levels of health literacy (M = 2.12, SD = 0.78), and low engagement in self-care behaviors (M = 33.82, SD = 7.79). A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (r = 0.396, p < 0.01). In contrast, age was negatively associated with self-care behaviors (r = -0.249, p < 0.01). Furthermore, self-efficacy and age were significant predictors of self-care behaviors (β = 0.196, p < 0.001; β = -1.256, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions This study helps policymakers, healthcare providers, and parents develop strategies to enhance self-care behaviors through targeted interventions and educational programs. The findings may guide any future educational program or training sessions to improve self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1DM.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03136-7AdolescentsHealth literacySelf-care behaviorsSelf-efficacyType 1 diabetes mellitus
spellingShingle Fida Ayed
Malakeh. Z. Malak
Anas Shehadeh
Lubna Harazneh
Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
BMC Psychology
Adolescents
Health literacy
Self-care behaviors
Self-efficacy
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
title Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_full Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_short Self-Care behaviors and their association with self-efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_sort self care behaviors and their association with self efficacy and health literacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in palestine a cross sectional study
topic Adolescents
Health literacy
Self-care behaviors
Self-efficacy
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03136-7
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