Visagie, ElneDeacon, ElmariKok, Rumando2024-10-232024-10-232024-08Visagie, E., Deacon, E. & Kok, R. Exploring the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours related to the self-management practices of adults with type 2 diabetes. Health Psychology Open. 2024; 11. doi: 10.1177/20551029241278976.2055-1029 (online)10.1177/20551029241278976http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98718This qualitative research study explored the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of adults aged between 35 and 45 who managed their type 2 diabetes effectively and adults who struggled with diabetes self-management in a South African setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults who engaged in either successful self-management or who struggled with self-management. Effective management was characterised by an HbA1c level of 8% or lower. This group comprised of nine individuals. The participants who faced challenges with self-management had HbA1c levels ranging between 10% and 14%. This group consisted of eight participants. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and four main themes were identified: the emotional experience, prominent cognitions, practising acceptance and the mechanisms of behavioural change. These themes identified key determinants of individuals’ self-management practices and can contribute to providing information for future cognitive behaviour therapy interventions to be developed that target specific components to improve self-management practices.en© The Author(s) 2024. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).AdultsBehaviourCognitive behaviour therapyEmotionsSelf-managementThoughtsType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle