Illness representations of type 2 diabetes patients are associated with perceptions of diabetes threat in relatives. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Esch, Suzanne CM; Nijkamp, Marjan D; Cornel, Martina C; Snoek, Frank J
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 19:Number 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 358
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: beliefs -- chronic illness -- family -- health promotion -- risk estimation; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105312470853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

In the fight against the type 2 diabetes epidemic, patients might be asked to discuss familial susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in their family. Illness representations of patients ( N = 546) were assessed to explore their impact on perceived type 2 diabetes threat in relatives. Reporting high type 2 diabetes burden, emotional impact and perceiving type 2 diabetes as an inheritable disease seemed to increase patients' family risk perception and worries about relatives' future health. Patients with coherent illness understanding reported positive beliefs regarding type 2 diabetes prevention in relatives. Findings may give direction in how illness representations may be used to guide patients in the process of family risk disclosure.