TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2010//
TI  - Divergent Models of Diabetes among American Indian Elders
JO  - Journal of cross-cultural gerontology
A1  - Henderson, Linda Carson
SP  - 303
EP  - 316
VL  - 25
IS  - 4
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0169-3816
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10823-010-9128-4
ID  - ref1
ER  -