Psychometric Evaluation of the Diabetes Self-Management Instrument-Short Form (DSMI-20)

Purpose: To streamline a clinical tool for use with people with diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Self-Management Instrument-short form (DSMI-20). 

Methods: The short form Instrument (i.e., DSMI-20) was revised from our previous instrument ( i.e., DSMI-35) through in- depth small group discussions and expert validation, and tested it via pilot tests and item analysis. We verified it by exploratory factor analysis ( EFA) and correlation with an empowerment scale. Reliability testing included internal consistency and test–retest reliability that were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results: EFA identified four factors with loadings ranging from -0.727 to 0.907: communication with HCPs, self-integration, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and problem solving, which accounted for 57.11% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the DSMI-20 total scale was 0.925 and of subscales ranged from 0.838 to 0.892. The test–retest correlations for the DSMI-20 total scale were acceptable (r = .790, p = .001). Correlation with the diabetes empowerment scale was r =0.552 (p = .001). 

Conclusion: The DSMI-20 is a rapid, viable assessment tool for identifying self-management problems among people with diabetes.