Objective: To explore the present perceptions of patient-empowering nurse behaviours, self-efficacy and patient activation among patients with chronic diseases, and analyze the influencing mechanism among these three variables. Methods: Using convenient sampling method, a total of 485 inpatients with chronic diseases were sampled from two tertiary comprehensive hospitals in Guangzhou on the day of discharge between March and October 2017. They were surveyed with the demographic questionnaire, Patient Perceptions of Patient-Empowering Nurse Behaviours Scale , Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale and Patient Activation Measure. Results: Empowerment could positively predict self-efficacy (β=0.402, P<0.01) and patient activation (β=0.169, P<0.01). Self-efficacy could also positively predict patient activation (β=0.887, P<0.01). And self-efficacy, of which the effect accounted for 67.87% of the total effect, played a partial intermediary role between empowerment and patient activation. Conclusions To improve patient activation, empowerment and self-efficacy should be both emphasized and applied by the nurses, so that patients can move smoothly from a care receiver before discharge to one of self-management.