Human dignity and its associations with self efficacy and treatment adherence in adults with type 2 diabetes in Iran

Human dignity is a foundational ethical construct in chronic illness care, yet its relationship with self-efficacy and treatment adherence in type 2 diabetes remains insufficiently understood. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study examined the associations between perceived human dignity, diabetes self-efficacy, and treatment adherence among 200 adults with type 2 diabetes attending comprehensive health service centers in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected using validated Persian versions of the Patient Dignity Inventory, Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale, and Modanloo Treatment Adherence Questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Participants had a mean age of 58.70 ± 9.10 years, and 55.5% were female. The regression models had adjusted R2 values of 0.111 for total self-efficacy and 0.248 for total treatment adherence. These findings indicate that perceived human dignity is associated with self-efficacy and treatment adherence among adults with type 2 diabetes.

Longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationships and potential explanations for these associations. The authors express their appreciation to the participants for their valuable contribution to this study. They also acknowledge the institutional support provided by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Narges Hashemi, Mahrokh Keshvari & Leila Mardanian Dehkordi Correspondence to Leila Mardanian Dehkordi. The authors declare no competing interests. The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with the code IR.MUI.NUREMA.REC.1404.082.

In accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the participants were informed of the necessary information about the research, the research objectives, and how to observe the principle of confidentiality. Additionally, the participants who voluntarily and without coercion entered the research and completed the questionnaires. Informed consent to participate was obtained from all of the participants.

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