ABSTRACTObjectives:to correlate depressive symptoms, attitude, and self-care of elderly people with type 2 diabetes.Methods:study developed with 144 elderly people with diabetes; carried out in Family Health Units. A semi-structured instrument was used to obtain data on the sociodemographic profile; the Geriatric Depression Scale (15 items), theQuestionário de Atitudes Psicológicas do Diabetes[Psychological Attitudes of Diabetes Questionnaire], and the Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire (DSCA) were also used.Results:it was identified that 24.3% of the participants presented depressive symptoms, and 93.8% presented negative attitudes of coping. A greater adherence to self-care activities related to the practice of medication was observed. In the correlation between the scales, a negative and inversely proportional correspondence was noted between depressive symptomatology and physical activity (p=0.010) and foot care (p=0.006), likewise between attitude and foot care (p=0.009).Conclusions:self-care in elderly people with diabetesmellitusis influenced by depressive symptoms and negative coping attitudes.