Risk Perception in Type 2 Diabetics: Correlates and Predictors

The purpose of this study was to further investigate the accuracy of risk perception in patients with type 2 diabetes and to look at relationships between this risk perception, diabetes knowledge, self-care behavior and treatment outcome. Seventy-four patients with type 2 diabetes who were seen in an endocrinology clinic at a major medical center participated in this study. Results showed that patients significantly over-estimated their risk of developing retinopathy and end-stage renal disease and patients had an optimistic bias; they believed that they were less likely than others like them to develop diabetes-related complications. Results also showed a positive relationship between risk perception for some complications and diabetes knowledge and glycemic control. A negative relationship was found between risk perception and self-care behavior. These results have both clinical and public health implications for education and treatment of diabetes.

Author

• Beck-Heyman, Mark Fairbanks

Language

• en

Keyword

• risk perception
• risk
• diabetes

Date created

• 2009

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Psychology

Degree

• Ph.D.

Advisor

• Peterson, Rolf
• Cohen, Joshua

Committee Member(s)

• Lambert, Sharon
• Stock, Michelle
• Blake, Susan
• Poppen, Paul
• Howe, George

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/xg94hp72b