Objective: Patients with diabetic nephropathy experience significant self-care challenges due to the chronic nature of their condition and its associated emotional burden. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation training and problem-solving skills training on self-care behaviors in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a three-month follow-up and a control group. The study population consisted of patients with diabetic nephropathy who referred to the IRIB Health Center in Tehran in 2024. Forty-five eligible participants were randomly assigned to three groups: emotion regulation training (n = 15), problem-solving skills training (n = 15), and a control group (n = 15). Self-care behaviors were assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with the Greenhouse–Geisser correction.
Results: Both intervention groups showed significant improvements in overall self-care and in dietary adherence, blood glucose monitoring, medication adherence, and foot care at posttest and follow-up (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups or over time for physical activity (P > 0.05). Comparative analyses revealed that problem-solving skills training was more effective and demonstrated greater durability than emotion regulation training in executive self-care components, particularly dietary adherence and foot care (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: While emotion regulation training supports psychological adjustment to chronic illness, problem-solving skills training offers more structured and action-oriented strategies for effective disease management. Incorporating problem-solving–based interventions into diabetes care programs is therefore recommended.