BACKGROUND Previous research on self-management in people with diabetes mellitus mostly focused on the negative aspects of the disease, such as depression, lack of support, and psychological stress. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore the existence of positive experiences in people with type 2 diabetes. 'Positive experience' is operationally defined as positive thoughts or good feelings in coping with diabetes expressed by the participants. METHODS An exploratory qualitative design using constant comparative method. METHODS Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants receiving care in two hospitals in Kansai area, Japan. The following eligibility criteria were used: (1) individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; (2) individuals capable of conversing in Japanese; and (3) individuals receiving care at either setting. Data collection and data analysis were conducted concurrently. Each verbatim transcript was read several times, and the data were coded line by line. Codes were constantly compared with each other for similarity and dissimilarity and were grouped to form categories. RESULTS Ten patients from the outpatient department and seven patients from the inpatient education program were interviewed between June and December in 2002. All the participants expressed positive experience in coping with diabetes. Three categories emerged from repeated coding: (1) positive appraisal; (2) diversion; and (3) bonding. CONCLUSIONS A tentative model of coping from the patient's perspective was proposed for a future research. Asking the patient about positive experience with their illness is important to elicit positive thoughts and experience.