The assessment of diabetes-related cognitive and social factors: The multidimensional diabetes questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the recently developed Multidimensional Diabetes questionnaire (MDQ). The MDQ which is theoretically linked to a social learning perspective of diabetes, was designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of diabetes-related cognitive and social factors. It includes 41 items grouped into three sections: (1) perceptions related to diabetes and related social support, (2) positive and misguided reinforcing behaviors related to self-care activities and (3) self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. Confirmatory factor analyses conducted on a sample of 249 patients with non-insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus, supported the construct validity of the MDQ. Adequate internal consistency and significant demographic, psychological, behavioral, and disease-related correlates were found. The MDQ may prove valuable in understanding individual differences in adjustment to diabetes.