Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand

Abstract

The aims of this study were to test the construct validity of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) among Thai patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This methodological study consisted of two stages: (1) Search for existing literature regarding (DMSES) in English to be translated into Thai and further examined for face validity; and (2) explore the factor structure of the resultant instrument and examine its reliability. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data in Thai T2DM patients in February 2016. The finding showed that the Thai Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy scale (T-DMSES) contained four domains with 20 items on self-efficacy: (1) Diet; (2) Monitor; (3) Physical; and (4) Regimen. The scales based on all retained items showed a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89). The conclusions of this study revealed that the T-DMSES contributed to good construct validity. The said questionnaire could be utilized to explore self-efficacy in Thai T2DM patients, as well as being able to develop and evaluate suitable educational interventions to enhance self-efficacy. Next study should emphasis on further validating the T-DMSES, including assessing construct and criterion-based validity, or examining the psychometric properties by utilizing the Confirmatory Factor Analysis.