%0 Journal Article
%T Divergent Models of Diabetes among American Indian Elders
%J Journal of cross-cultural gerontology
%D 2010
%A Henderson, Linda Carson
%V 25
%N 4
%P 303-316
%X The purpose of this study was to examine belief systems about diabetes in American Indian elders, and the effects of culture on care-seeking, adherence, and diabetes self-care. Health belief theory predicts that care-seeking and medical adherence are a function of culturally mediated beliefs that result in behaviors that effect health status. In order to elicit cultural meanings of diabetes, in-depth interviews were conducted with an intensity sample of 30 American Indian diabetic elders (55+). Two models of diabetes were identified, divergent in terms of 1) health behaviors, and 2) cultural identification. One model was characterized by delayed care-seeking, and a non-valuing of adherence to diabetes self-care. Non-adherence to medical recommendations was perceived as being socially desirable, because adherence placed the elder outside their peer group. The second model was characterized by early care-seeking and improved adherence to diabetes self-care. These divergent models of diabetes, in which care-seeking, diabetes self-care, and adherence vary as a function of cultural immersion, has implications for health education and disease management and may contribute substantially to health disparities.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group
%@ 0169-3816
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10823-010-9128-4