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The Embodiment of Type-2 Diabetes and the Influence on Self-Care Strategies

Webster, Noah James
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310154775

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Sociology.
People living with diabetes must engage in a range of self-care behaviors to manage their illness in order to prevent future complications. This study examines how specific diabetes complications experienced earlier in the disease trajectory influence the performance of diabetes self-care behaviors. This study utilized a multi-method research design including secondary analysis of two years (2000 and 2007) of quantitative data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as well as 60 semi-structured interviews with older diabetics. Results indicate that the experience of feet sores was significantly related to a greater frequency of feet checking, and having diabetes-related eye problems was related to receiving a more recent eye examination and more frequent checking of blood sugar levels. Results also indicate that the relationship between diabetes embodiment and self-care is moderated by key indicators measuring the level of medical involvement in the treatment of the illness. A time comparison of diabetes self-care behaviors between the years 2000 and 2007 indicated that four of the five diabetes self-care behaviors were engaged in more often or at a higher level in 2007 compared to 2000. Secondary analysis of 60 qualitative interviews with diabetics aged 50 and older indicated that respondents think of diabetes embodiment in similar ways as established by the biomedical model. However, additional themes arose from the data including: do not know, general damage to the body, specific body part or organ damage (other than those discussed in biomedical model), effects on normal body functioning, mental health, and positive influences. Also, some respondents made explicit connections to self-care when talking about what diabetes does to the body. The results suggest that people living with diabetes think of and make connections about their diabetes in ways not fully accounted for in the biomedical model. This study contributes to the self-care literature by being the first to test in a quantitative model the role that specific diabetes complications play in shaping self-care behavior. Contributions are also made to policy and clinical settings through informing policy makers and providers about how and why patients manage their diabetes.
Gary Deimling, PhD (Committee Chair)
Brian Gran, PhD (Committee Member)
Susan Hinze, PhD (Committee Member)
Sharon Milligan, PhD (Committee Member)
384 p.
Sociology
diabetes; self-care; disease embodiment; lay perspectives of illness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Webster, N. J. (2011). The Embodiment of Type-2 Diabetes and the Influence on Self-Care Strategies [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310154775

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Webster, Noah. The Embodiment of Type-2 Diabetes and the Influence on Self-Care Strategies. 2011. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310154775.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Webster, Noah. "The Embodiment of Type-2 Diabetes and the Influence on Self-Care Strategies." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310154775

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1310154775
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.