Living with Type 2 diabetes: a family perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the beliefs, attitudes and perceptions of adults with Type 2 diabetes and their family members.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with: (i) people with good diabetes control (HbA1c < 7.0%); (ii) their family members; (iii) people with poor diabetes control (HbA1c > 8.5%); and (iv) their family members.


RESULTS
There were no discernible differences between those with good and poor diabetes control or between the family members of each group. Overall, family members perceived diabetes to be more serious and as having a greater impact on daily life than those with the illness. Those with diabetes were unaware of this heightened concern and had a more relaxed approach to living with diabetes. The lack of information and perceived knowledge about diabetes impacted upon participants' causal attributions about the illness and its perceived severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes is an illness that affects both individuals and families. There is a need for further investigation into the impact that family members have on the management of diabetes.
White
P
P
Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. pwhite@tcd.ie
Smith
S M
SM
O'Dowd
T
T
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*
D001786:Blood Glucose