Objective To investigate the status of self-management behaviors and sense of coherence (SOC) in patients with type 2 diabetes as well as their correlation. Method A total of 348 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in the survey by way of the general demographic data form, diabetes self-care scale (2-DSCS) and sense of coherence scale (SOC-13). Results The total score on 2-DSCS was (65.61 ± 14.55), and 17.24%of them were scored fairly well. The total score on SOC-13 was (63.25 ± 11.46), with an average score of (4.87 ± 0.88) on every dimension of it. The total score on 2-DSCS together with its dimensions was positively correlated with the total score on SOC-13(P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusions The SOC and self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes should be enhanced. In order to improve the level of self-management, nurses should take some individualized interventional measures based on the level of SOC in patients.