Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a serious chronic disease and is accompanied by personal, family, financial and psychological problems. Also self-concept is based on all shown individual's behavior. The aim of this study was to determine the level of self-concept in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This was a cross sectional -descriptive study carried on 280 patients with diabetes type 2 referred to diabetic center of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil. The tool of data gathering was composed of socio-demographic status questionnaire and Beck’s self concept test. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test were used.

Results: This study showed that most of patients with type 2 diabetes had low Level of self-concept (%34.5) that 98 patient and (%33/9) that 96 patient had Modrate Level of self Concept alone (%30/6) that 86 patient had high Level of self Concept.

Conclusions: According to the results of present study, and the fact that type 2 diabetes is a disease that demand the continuing care and special education, psychologists, nurses and healthcare providers should train patients to promote their self-concept which in turn will result in decreasing of psychological and physical effects of illness and rising their self-concept.

Key words: Self-concept, Diabetes Type 2, Diabetic Center