Behavioral Self-Regulation in the Treatment of Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

The treatment regimen for patients with diabetes involves a complex series of self-care behaviors. This article conceptualizes the regimen in terms of a behavioral self-regulation model for the control of blood sugar. The model, based on a negative feedback control system, includes four components: (a) behaviors related to the detection of discrepancies between actual and normal blood sugar, by urine or blood sugar monitoring; (b) corrective responses, such as the use of insulin, to normalize blood sugar; (c) minimization of disturbances to the system by such behaviors as stress reduction or dietary modification; and (d) self-reinforcement of self-regulatory behaviors. Research related to each aspect of the model is discussed, and suggestions are made for further research derived from the self-regulation model.