The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship between Diabetic Self-Management and Well-Being among Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is a chronic illness which is among the 7th leading causes of death in the world. Accompanied by physical, emotional and social discomforts, the treatment in itself proves expensive for a developing economy-or a single family. But studies have shown that it can be treated and consequences be delayed with diet, physical activity and regular screening. So the objective of the study was to find an effective type of self-care; the difference in diabetic self-management style based on the type of self-care (only medication, only diet & exercise and both); the difference in self-esteem and well-being based on the diabetic self-management styles; and the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between diabetic self-management and well-being among diabetic patients. The study was conducted among 102 diabetic patients using Diabetic Self-management questionnaire, Rosenberg’s Self-esteem scale and Well-being questionnaire-12. The result showed a positive correlation between diabetic self-management and self-esteem and all factors of well-being except for negative well-being which showed a negative relationship. There was a significant difference in diabetic self-management based on the type of self-care and there was significant difference in self-esteem and well-being based on the level of diabetic self-management. The result also indicated a positive mediating role of self-esteem in the relation between diabetic self-management and well-being among diabetic patients. The result of the study can be applied in a medical setting to plan new interventions without using chemical assistance for appropriate management of diabetes.