Effect of Diabetes Self-Efficacy on Coping Strategy: Self-Stigma’s Mediating Effect

<b>Objectives:</b> This descriptive study aimed to explore self-stigma's mediating effect on the association between self-efficacy and coping strategy among Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. <b>Methods:</b> This study included 189 participants with type 2 diabetes diagnosed by an endocrinologist. Data were collected from 1 November to 28 December 2023, using a self-report questionnaire focusing on self-efficacy, coping strategy, and self-stigma. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample <i>t</i>-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS; the mediating effect was examined using SPSS PROCESS Macro. <b>Results:</b> The mean self-efficacy, coping strategy, and self-stigma scores were 6.29 (±10.80), 2.84 (±0.54), and 2.72 (±0.82), respectively. Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with coping strategy (r = -0.52, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and self-stigma (r = -0.45, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Coping strategy was positively correlated with self-stigma (r = 0.78, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Further, self-stigma partially mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and coping strategy, accounting for 64.0% of the variance. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results suggest the importance of tailoring self-stigma reduction strategies to enable patients with diabetes to develop positive coping strategies. Moreover, incremental and tailored programs for reducing self-stigma must be developed.