Validation of the Greek Version of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (GR-DMSES)

Abstract

Introduction: Self-efficacy has been found to have a direct relation with self-care in diabetes. Several tools have been developed and used for evaluating self-efficacy of diabetic patients, the most widely used being the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES). The aim of the present study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Greek DMSES (GR-DMSES) in order for it to be used in the ATTICA pilot study of the SmartCare EU-funded project.

Methods: Using standard procedures, the original version of DMSES was translated and culturally adapted into Greek. Content validity was assessed by an expert panel with the calculation of a content validity index of the overall scale. Α convenient sample was recruited to complete the questionnaire. Psychometric testing of the produced instrument included internal consistency test (Cronbach's alpha), construct validity (factor analysis), and stability (intraclass correlation coefficient).

Results: One hundred and sixteen patients, aged 36-86 years, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) participated in the study. There were no items excluded from the original scale after the content validity procedure. The coefficient Cronbach's alpha for the internal consistency was 0.93 and the intraclass correlation coefficient for the stability with a 5-week time interval was 0.87 (P < 0.001). Factor analysis yielded four factors related to diet, medical therapy, medication and feet check, and physical activity.

Conclusion: The findings supported that the GR-DMSES was reliable and valid in measuring self-efficacy related to diabetes self-management, thus providing a quick and easy-to-use tool for health professionals dealing with Greek adults with T2D.

Keywords: Diabetes; Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale; Greece; Self-efficacy; Validation.

Fig. 1

Scree plot for determination of number of factors