# Association between risk perception of complications and self-efficacy among young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes in China: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores how young and middle-aged type 2 diabetes patients in China perceive complication risks and how this relates to their self-efficacy in managing their condition.

## Contribution

The study identifies key factors influencing risk perception and its correlation with self-efficacy in T2DM patients.

## Key findings

- Risk perception scores were positively correlated with self-efficacy (r = 0.53, p < 0.001).
- Education level, family history of diabetes, and comorbidities significantly influence risk perception.

## Abstract

Risk perception refers to an individual’s subjective judgment and evaluation of the characteristics and severity of risk-related matters, serving as a crucial predictive factor influencing personal health behaviors and self-management capabilities. Therefore, accurate health risk perception is essential for improving preventive health behaviors and reducing the occurrence of complications in diabetic patients. This study aimed to delve into the current status and factors influencing risk perception of diabetic complications among young and middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted to select young and middle-aged patients with T2DM who were admitted to two tertiary hospitals in Zhengzhou, Henan, China, from February 2024 to October 2024. General information questionnaire, risk perception survey-diabetes mellitus (RPS-DM), and Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES) were employed for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression.

A total of 420 valid responses were received. The score of the risk perception survey-diabetes mellitus was 52.32 ± 10.76, and the score of self-efficacy was 22.73 ± 4.49. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) between risk perception and self-efficacy among young and middle-aged patients with T2DM. Moreover, the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that education level, family history of diabetes, and number of comorbid chronic diseases were the influencing factors of risk perception of diabetic complications (all p < 0.05).

The risk perception level was positively correlated with self-efficacy of diabetes. Patients of lower educational levels, without a family history of diabetes, more than three comorbidities, and lower self-efficacy are indicative of lower levels of risk perception. Identifying these influencing factors can provide references and support for developing individualized support and intervention measures to enhance their awareness and perception of complication risks.