Predictors of Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors among Thai Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Manutsawin Kunthamas; Tassanee Prasopkittikun; Sathima Suratham; Jeerunda Santiprabhob

doi:10.60099/prijnr.2026.280671

Authors

Manutsawin Kunthamas Graduate Student in the Master of Nursing Science Program (International Program), Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9633-0929
Tassanee Prasopkittikun Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6168-6622
Sathima Suratham Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4460-205X
Jeerunda Santiprabhob Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4726-9360

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60099/prijnr.2026.280671

Keywords:

Adolescent, Diabetes self-management, Glycemic control, Intrinsic motivation, Outpatient care, Pediatric nursing, Perceived health status, Social stigma, Social support, Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Effective diabetes self-management behaviors are essential for optimal glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. However, global evidence suggests that many current interventions fail to achieve sustained clinical improvements, highlighting a need to identify modifiable factors. In Thailand, research addressing the psychological and contextual determinants of adherence remains scarce, leaving a critical gap in localized evidence. This cross-sectional design study aimed to examine predictors of diabetes self-management behaviors among Thai adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Ninety adolescents (aged 10–19 years) receiving basal-bolus injections and their primary caregivers were recruited via convenience sampling from pediatric diabetes clinics at two university hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand. Data were collected using validated instruments assessing intrinsic motivation, perceived health status, family and friend support, perceived social stigma, patient-nurse relationship, and diabetes self-management behaviors. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlations, and stepwise regression were performed.

Results showed that intrinsic motivation, perceived health status, and family support significantly correlated with diabetes self-management behaviors. However, intrinsic motivation was the sole significant predictor, explaining 9.5% of the variance. Findings underscore the critical role of intrinsic motivation in adolescents. Thus, nurses should be trained in strategies to increase this motivation. However, given that 90.5% of the variance remains unexplained, future research should utilize qualitative and mixed-method designs to deeply explore additional contextual factors in more diverse healthcare settings.

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