Psychological and environmental factors associated with walking behavior among patients with severe diabetes mellitus

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between walking behavior and psychological and environmental factors among patients with severe diabetes mellitus. [Methods] Twenty-two people (mean age 55.3 years) completed a questionnaire during educational hospitalization. Measured variables included the stage of change for walking behavior, self-efficacy for walking behavior, time spent in walking behavior, the Problem Areas In Diabetes survey (PAID), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environmental module (IPAQ-E). [Results] The total time spent in walking showed a significant positive correlation with self-efficacy for walking behavior, and a significant negative correlation with depression mood. [Conclusion] The results indicate that intervention approaches enhancing self-efficacy for walking behavior and reducing depressive mood might be effective for walking promotion among patients with severe diabetes mellitus.