title: Illness perceptions among adults at risk for diabetes.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine diabetes illness perceptions among a sample of at-risk adults according to specific characteristics that make them vulnerable to diabetes.
  
  
  
  At-risk adults (N = 372) participated in a study investigating the potential to screen them for diabetes at a large urban dental college. Sociodemographic and individual-level diabetes risk-related characteristics, A1C measures, diabetes-related symptoms, diabetes knowledge, diabetes illness perceptions, and perceived causes of diabetes were collected and reported for the study sample; t tests were then used to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in each of 8 dimensions of diabetes illness perceptions according to the presence or absence of 6 diabetes risk factors.
  
  
  
  Average A1C values were 5.6% (38 mmol/mol), and 46% of the study sample had A1C values in the prediabetes or diabetes range. Participants had various diabetes knowledge gaps and misperceptions, and there were differences in dimensions of diabetes illness perceptions depending on specific diabetes-related risk factors.
  
  
  
  In view of differences in the diabetes-related illness perceptions of persons at risk for diabetes, it is important for diabetes educators and other health care providers to personalize their diabetes-related education, management, and support to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of at-risk patients.
authors: New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA (Dr Strauss, Dr Rosedale, Ms Kaur).
authors: Shiela M
authors: SM
authors: Strauss
authors: New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA (Dr Strauss, Dr Rosedale, Ms Kaur).
authors: Mary T
authors: MT
authors: Rosedale
authors: New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA (Dr Strauss, Dr Rosedale, Ms Kaur).
authors: Navjot
authors: N
authors: Kaur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
references: Diabetes Care. 2011 Feb;34(2):338-40
references: 21270191
references: Dent Clin North Am. 2012 Oct;56(4):819-29
references: 23017553
references: J Clin Epidemiol. 2009 Jan;62(1):74-80
references: 18632252
references: Croat Med J. 2009 Dec;50(6):583-93
references: 20017227
references: J Periodontol. 2009 Jun;80(6):907-14
references: 19485820
references: Am J Public Health. 2015 Apr;105(4):796-801
references: 25713975
references: J Psychosom Res. 2006 Jun;60(6):631-7
references: 16731240
references: Br J Health Psychol. 2004 May;9(Pt 2):241-52
references: 15125807
references: Diabetes Care. 2014 Jan;37 Suppl 1:S14-80
references: 24357209
references: Psychosom Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;67(6):897-905
references: 16314594
references: J Public Health Dent. 2010 Spring;70(2):156-62
references: 20002875
references: J Dent Hyg. 2013 Apr;87(2):82-9
references: 23986141
references: Int J Gen Med. 2013 Jul 29;6:617-28
references: 23935384
references: Diabetes Educ. 2013 Jul-Aug;39(4):436-46
references: 23649727
references: Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2007 Mar;20(2):163-7
references: 17278916
references: Int J Behav Med. 2008;15(3):180-6
references: 18696311
references: Age Ageing. 2003 Nov;32(6):613-8
references: 14600002
references: Psychosom Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;67(6):997-1005
references: 16314606
references: Patient Educ Couns. 2003 Nov;51(3):247-58
references: 14630381
references: Diabetes Educ. 2011 Sep-Oct;37(5):669-79
references: 21918205