Author: Aimen Saleem
Supervisor: Rabia Dasti
Degree: BS
Year: 2013-2017
University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present research was aimed to develop a culturally sensitive
measure of knowledge and misconceptions related to diabetes.
Furthermore to investigate the relationship between Knowledge
and Misconceptions, Illness Identity and Type 1 Diabetes Distress
in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. It was
hypothesized that there would likely be a relationship between
knowledge and misconceptions, illness identity and type 1
diabetes distress. It was also hypothesized that knowledge and
misconception and illness identity predicts diabetes distress.
Purposive Sampling strategy was used to collect data from a
sample of 70 individuals (n=37 men, n=33 women). The sample
was collected from various diabetes management centers of
government and private hospitals. It was a multistage research
project. During the first stage diabetes knowledge and
misconception scale was developed by conducting focus group
which was used to assess knowledge and misconception related to
diabetes. Thematic Analysis was used to extract the relevant
themes and subthemes. Item pool was generated and evaluated
during the second stage The third stage of the study examined the
relationship of knowledge and misconception, illness identity and
diabetes related distress by administering Illness Identity
Questionnaire (Oris et.al, 2016) and type 1 diabetes distress scale
(Fisher et al., 2015). The results indicated that knowledge was
positively related to acceptance and enrichment while negatively
related to rejection, engulfment and type 1 diabetes distress.
Misconception was negatively related to acceptance and
enrichment while positively related to rejection, engulfment and
type 1 diabetes distress. Engulfment positively predict type 1
diabetes distress and enrichment negatively predict type 1
diabetes distress. Illness Identity partially mediates the
relationship between knowledge and misconceptions and diabetes
distress. The findings of the study will be helpful to create
awareness among diabetic and non-diabetic regarding the
scientific based information about diabetes its causes, life-style
changes, treatment and precautions.
Keywords: Misconception, Illness Identity, Diabetes Distress.
Visit Centre for Clinical Psychology
