Background: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs all around the world. The disease affects the patient's whole life situation. The importance of ability to self-care is crucial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Knowledge of diabetes is the basis for managing the disease and requires that the person with type 2 diabetes is capable to new living habits.

Aim: The aim of the study was to elucidate how patients perceive their ability to self-care in type 2 diabetes.

Method: The method used was literature-based study. The article search was done in databases CINAHL and PubMed, which resulted in twelve qualitative articles.

Results: The main result of the study was that the patient's motivation and ability to self-care is affected by various factors. The main themes that built up the results were Motivation - a driving force for self-care and The patient's experience of support from the environment.

Conclusion: Changed living habits were perceived as difficult to perform and challenging in the person's everyday life. To achieve the right motivation for self-care is crucial for the person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and influenced by both internal and external factors.