Objectives: To determine the mediating effect of self-esteem in the relationship between the perceived stigmatization of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus )T2DM( and their self-efficacy regarding diabetes management. Methods:The study was carried out with 162 patients with T2DM who visited the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic, Bartin Public Hospital, Bartin, Turkey, between December 2020 and May 2021. A descriptive information form, diabetes management self-efficacy scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and type-2 diabetes stigma assessment scale were used in data collection.Results: As a result of regression analyses, it was determined that the variables of stigmatization )ß= -0.294( and self-esteem )ß=0.875( had a significant predictive effect on self-efficacy of patients Original Articlewith T2DM, and that as self-esteem was added to the model, the effect of stigmatization on self-efficacy )ß= -0.294( decreased )ß= -0.230, p<0.05(. According to these findings and the results of the Sobel test, it was determined that self-esteem had a partial mediator role )z= -3.347; p< 0.05(. Conclusion:Minimizing the perceived stigmatization can improve patients' diabetes management selfefficacy. With patient training programs and individualized nursing care plans prepared by psychiatric nurses to provide psychological support patients and through their interventions that increase self-esteem, self-stigmatization can be reduced.