Eureka! Institutional Repository

The relationship between diabetes and psychological aspects of the patien’s personality with the subsequent changes in self-esteem and self-efficacy, are of the most important research areas in relation to the effects of diabetes. As part of the overall problem, the present master thesis investigated the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms with self-esteem and self-efficacy in people with type 2 diabetes in the Greek population, both in theoretical terms and in terms of applied research. The research approach involves the observational study of Greek patients with type 2 diabetes through three standard questionnaires. The three scales proved, in fact, highly reliable and valid with regard to the description and study of people with diabetes in the Greek population. The results were higher for Greek patients for levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy, compared to international standards. Factors demographic, economic and social impact in the attitudes of people about the situation that has been created due to diabetes and to their attention for daily, long-term treatment that is required. The Greek patients have both a fairly high level of self-esteem, which seems to be also influenced by factors such as the level of their knowledge about the disease and its treatment and of the administration of pills and insulin. The evidence for the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were extremely limited, revealing a relatively good general health of patients. In particular, the lower self-esteem seems to be associated with more pronounced signs of mental disorders, but also a more negative attitude towards diabetes and a low self-efficacy. Finally, it seems that a more positive attitude towards diabetes is associated with fewer signs of mental disorders.