Table 2 Scores of items in the Japanese version of the Self-Stigma Scale in type 2 diabetes patients

COGNITIVE

Being a ___ takes away many opportunities from me. (29)

1.85

0.67

I think that I am less competent than ordinary people because I am a ___. (26)

1.59

0.57

I feel that my life is unenjoyable because of myself with the illness, ___. (31)

1.81

0.69

No matter how hard I work, I cannot match others because of myself with the illness, ___. (30)

1.64

0.55

Who I am: having the illness, ___, is a heavy burden to me. (38)

2.17

0.78

I have low expectations in life because I am a ___. (18)

1.80

0.64

I am not qualified to compete with others because I am a ___. (27)

1.54

0.54

Who I am: having the illness, ___, is a stigma in my life. (13)

1.92

0.73

Who I am: having the illness, ___, has a negative impact on my financial situation. (35)

2.15

0.83

I am inferior to others because I am a ___. (21)

1.66

0.58

Who I am: having the illness, ___, causes inconvenience on my daily life. (34)

2.13

0.76

I cannot measure up to ordinary people because I am a ___. (10)

1.68

0.65

I cannot change myself with the illness, ___. (11)

1.90

0.67

I lower my standards of living because I am a ___. (6)

1.90

0.65

My life is meaningless because I am a ___. (4)

1.63

0.51

I need assistance from others because I am a ___. (12)

1.77

0.67

My social interactions are limited because I am a ___. (2)

2.04

0.66

It is quite normal for me to be alienated by others because I am a ___. (5)

1.55

0.51

I feel much stressed because I am a ___. (1)

2.49

0.73

AFFECTIVE

I cannot feel confident about who I am because of myself with the illness, ___. (33)

1.74

0.61

I am worried about who I am: having the illness, ___, would create obstacles to me. (25)

1.90

0.74

I have negative feelings about myself with the illness, ___. (23)

1.79

0.68

I am unhappy because I am a ___. (32)

1.80

0.69

I feel helpless because I am a ___. (37)

1.59

0.57

I am discouraged because I am a ___. (28)

1.84

0.71

I hate myself because I am a ___. (24)

1.89

0.71

I get embarrassed because of myself with the illness, ___. (39)

1.68

0.68

I feel angry because I am a ___. (22)

1.96

0.75

I feel uncomfortable being a ___. (17)

2.22

0.80

I feel sorry that I am a ___. (8)

1.98

0.73

I feel there is nothing I can do about being a ___. (16)

1.92

0.74

I fear that people around me would find out that I am a ___. (15)

1.75

0.78

I am ashamed of being a ___. (3)

1.99

0.72

BEHAVIORAL

I avoid interacting with others because I am a ___. (36)

1.55

0.56

I keep my distance from others because I am a ___. (19)

1.57

0.62

I give up on myself because I am a ___. (14)

1.69

0.63

I hide myself with the illness, ___. (20)

1.66

0.77

I make friends only with people who are in the same condition as mine. (9)

1.48

0.56

I dare not to make new friends because they might find out that I am a ___. (7)

1.53

0.58