Understanding individual’s perceptions of self-efficacy in relation to self-managing their type-2 diabetes after being enrolled onto a mindfulness-based programme

Deo, Pranay

Abstract

Introduction: Increased levels of mindfulness and self-efficacy have been associated with improvements in self-management for individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is important to further our understanding of how to improve self-management to improve health outcomes and uptake to self-management courses, as well as reducing the economic impact of type 2 diabetes treatments on the NHS.
Aims: This qualitative study will aim to understand participants’ perceptions of self-efficacy to manage their type 2 diabetes after enrolling onto a mindfulness course. The study will include people who attended and did not attend following enrolment onto the programme.
Methods: A total of 11 participants (nine females, two males, aged 43-75, three primary care, eight secondary care) participated. Participants’ took part in semi-structured interviews conducted over Microsoft Teams; interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021).
Results: Analysis of 11 interviews reported four themes, the following themes were related to low perceived self-efficacy to engage in self-management behaviours which contained both attendees and non-attendees; (1) Multiple health conditions (multi-morbidity) are holding me back from increasing physical activity, (2) Eating to manage my emotions rather than my diabetes, (3a sub-theme) I need professional support with my food choices, (4) Medication rather than self-management behaviours control my diabetes. There were two themes where participants expressed increased perceived self-efficacy to engage in self-management behaviours, this comprised only of attendees; (2a sub-theme) Implementing mindfulness has helped me manage my emotions. (3) My family members are supportive with my nutrition. Interestingly non-attenders were only in themes associated to low perceived self-efficacy.
Conclusion: The findings highlighted through a qualitative lens how mindfulness may facilitate self-efficacy for self-management behaviours, particularly through support with stressful emotions and eating. The study also showed the importance of support systems for self-management behaviours, specifically nutrition and engagement in physical activity. The findings from the study are important as they provide individuals’ perspectives on factors facilitating or acting as barriers to self-efficacy for self-management. This is important considering the low levels of uptake to current courses and risk of increasing cases of type 2 diabetes.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 29, 2024
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11468353
• Award Date: May 29, 2024