Developing conceptions of chronic disease: a comparison of disease experience.
We predicted that children's conceptions of various self-care behaviors and social relations would be related to their degree of experience with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). A total of 55 children were recruited for this study in three experience groups: children with IDDM (high experience), children having a sibling with IDDM (low experience), and normal healthy children (no experience). In line with our model, children with IDDM had a more developed and sophisticated understanding of concepts associated with disease management than did either siblings of children with diabetes or the comparison group; surprisingly, experience with the disease (children with IDDM) was associated with more complex conceptions of social relations as well.
Rubovits
D S
DS
Mercy Children's Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
Siegel
A W
AW
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005220:Fathers; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology; D010414:Pennsylvania