Problem

Growth mindsets and self-efficacy beliefs have been known to predict and promote resilience, and improve outcomes in areas such as education and intelligence. However, little is known about the role of these two potentially influential beliefs in the context of type 2 diabetes (T2D, specifically in terms of whether and in which domains (i.e., beliefs toward general life, general health, or condition-specific domains) these beliefs—or lack thereof—is prevalent among T2D individuals. Given the lifelong challenges that individuals with diabetes often encounter with managing their disease, many may slip into a conceding negative belief that their diabetes is “too difficult to control” or simply “out of their hands,” inhibiting proactive self-management efforts.

Opportunity

IPUR found that individuals with T2D had a significantly lower growth mindset towards their blood glucose level and lower self-efficacy towards their general health, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels compared to those without T2D. Among T2D participants, further analyses showed a pattern of poorer glycemic control (HbA1c) among those with lower growth mindsets and self-efficacy towards their general health or blood glucose level. Secondary findings also observed that those who have had T2D for longer tend to have less of a growth mindset towards their blood glucose. These patients comprise a sizeable segment who could potentially benefit from appropriate interventions on the malleability of their condition.

Intervention

Our findings emphasise several important areas for future efforts to explore how growth mindsets and self-efficacy can be fostered among T2D patients:

1. We need an improved understanding of the areas in which individuals with T2D feel resistant to change and action (i.e., specific health-related or self-management areas where patients tend to hold a fixed mindset).
2. Complementary research should identify key aspects or features of GM that would most effectively address those FM areas (e.g., should emphasis be placed on the malleability of their condition, on affirming effort over outcomes, on how “mistakes” should be reframed, on how setbacks can serve as stepping-stones).
3. Although intervention effectiveness relies predominantly on patient participation, healthcare providers play a major role in influencing patients’ perspectives and intentions. For instance, making subtle changes in physician-patient conversations by framing information differently (e.g., emphasising specific strengths of the patient that may increase confidence in making lifestyle adjustments or nudging patients toward a growth by saying, “Your blood glucose level is not just dependent on your genes; it can improve when you make small changes to your diet.”) can provide psychological opportunities conducive for growth mindset and self-efficacy beliefs to thrive.