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

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 alpha = 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.