Abstract
•This paper provided a unique perspective based on existing literature, clinical guidelines, and the expanded Tripartite Model of Self-Management to examine the phenomenon of diabetes self-management in older Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes.•Structural equation modeling analyzed multiple variables in one model to reveal the inter-relationships among the tripartite components of diabetes self-management and their contributing factors.•This study identified unique challenges that older Chinese adults encountered during their day-to-day self-management of type 2 diabetes.•Findings from this study will lay foundations for future studies to investigate the influence of the tripartite components as a whole on glucose control and diabetes outcomes.
Approximately 1 in 3 (or 80 million) Chinese age 60 years or older are living with type 2 diabetes in China. New perspectives are needed to understand the intricate phenomenon of diabetes self-management (DSM) in older Chinese adults. Guided by the expanded Tripartite Model of Self-Management, this study aimed to identify the inter-relationships between the tripartite components simultaneously and their influencing factors. This cross-sectional study included a stratified random sample of 98 community-dwelling adults age 60 or older with type 2 diabetes. Findings revealed distinct predictors for knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors and coping. There were significant inter-relationships among the tripartite components. The theoretical model was a good fit for the data. This study provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors, and coping strategies, offering direct implications for improving the health outcomes of older adults with diabetes.