Purpose: This study’s purpose was to develop and psychometrically test a new instrument for measuring self-management behaviors among Taiwanese adults with type 2 diabetes. Method: The items generated for the instruments were drawn from a comprehensive review of existing instruments measuring diabetes self-management and our previous focus group study. The instrument content was validated by a panel of experts. To examine the psychometric properties of Diabetes Self-Management Instrument (DSMI), data were collected from 634 adults with type 2 diabetes recruited from three teaching hospitals located in Southern Taiwan. Results: Five factors were extracted that explained 45.66 % of the total variances. Initial results of confirmatory factor analysis did not provide full support for the proposed 5-factor corrected model. After the model was modified, the fit indices indicated that this modified model fit the data. This model was further cross validated in an independent sample. Divergent validity was supported (there was a moderate positive significant correlation (r=.545, p< .001) between the DSMI and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities. Known-groups validity was also supported (There was a significant difference between a group of participants with high empowerment and low empowerment and the DSMI score (t=15.185, p < .001)). Criteria-related validity was also supported (A1C was negatively related to the total DSMI when controlling the presence of co-morbidities (r=- .155, p< .001). Internal consistency (alpha coefficient) of the DSMI total scale was .94 and of subscales ranged from .77 to .90. The test-retest correlations for the DSMI-35 scale (r=.73, p<.01) and for the subscales (r=.59-.86, p<.01) was acceptable. Conclusions: Results suggested that this 35-item measure of DSMI may reliably and validly measure the self-management behaviors of adults with type 2 diabetes.
Session #1200 - Self Care
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)