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Modified social learning theory re-examined: correlates of self-management behaviors of persons with Type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

Modified social learning theory (MSLT) applied to health predicts that health behavior is a multiplicative function of health value and perceptions of control over health. The self-management behaviors of persons with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, internal diabetes locus of control (IDLC), diabetes self-efficacy (DSE), and health value (HV) were assessed with an index of diabetes self-care activities in 107 patients receiving insulin. Multiple regression analysis showed DSE as the only MSLT construct that correlated with the index of diabetes self-care behaviors (β = .21, p < .05). While the predicted three-way interaction of IDLC × DSE × HV was significant (∆R2 = 4.5 %, p < .05) in the final step of the hierarchical model, the pattern of the findings only partially supported MSLT. Instead of finding that patients who were simultaneously high on all three predictors scored highest on the behavioral index, we found that patients who were low on all three constructs reported the least amount of diabetes self-care behavior. Implications for further modification of MSLT and its applications to clinical practice are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Professor Graeme D. Smith (Professor of Nursing, Edinburgh Napier University), Dr. Nicola N. Zammitt (Consultant Physician, Clinical Director Diabetes and Endocrinology, NHS Lothian), and Maggie Carson (Lecturer Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh) for their support during the conduct of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Linda E. Nugent

  2. School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA

    Kenneth A. Wallston

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  1. Linda E. Nugent
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  2. Kenneth A. Wallston
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Correspondence to Linda E. Nugent.

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Linda E. Nugent and Kenneth A. Wallston declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and animals rights and Informed consent

Approval from Lothian Scotland’s regional research ethical committee and from Lothian Hospital’s research and development department was obtained for the research to proceed. Confidentiality and anonymity of patients was maintained throughout the research process. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Nugent, L.E., Wallston, K.A. Modified social learning theory re-examined: correlates of self-management behaviors of persons with Type 2 diabetes. J Behav Med 39, 947–956 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9753-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9753-7

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