TESTING OF AN INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE ACCEPTANCE OF DIABETES: "IDEAS ABOUT DIABETES-REVISED" (IAD-R).
Contributors: Louisiana State University Medical Ctr. In New Orleans, S. Of Nursing.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 103
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to test the IAD-R to determine if it measures the psychological and cognitive construct of acceptance of the implications of having diabetes. This included testing the instrument for reliability and validity in a multi-site nationwide sample of 149 adults with either Type I or Type II diabetes.

The literature was reviewed for relevant information of acceptance. Based on this review, a conceptual framework and an operational definition of acceptance was developed. Acceptance of diabetes is a psychological and cognitive construct with measurable or observable defining characteristics. Acceptance of diabetes is a set of beliefs that is achieved after an individual with diabetes deals with the initial emotions of shock, disbelief, anger, depression, frustration and denial. Individuals who have accepted diabetes integrate the consequences of having diabetes into their lives and experience greater life satisfaction.

The design of the research was an exploratory survey. There was no treatment effect. The IAD-R was found to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the acceptance of the implications of having diabetes. Factor analysis reduced the five subscales of the original IAD-R to three: Outlook, Confidence and Inhibitors. Analysis indicated that the subscales were distinct but correlated at acceptable criterion levels. Internal consistency testing of the three factor IAD-R and its subscales revealed high Cronbach alphas, which exceeded the criterion level for new and used instruments.

Hypothesis testing revealed that acceptance of diabetes is correlated positively with quality of life and metabolic control of diabetes. Time since diagnosis of diabetes was not significantly related to acceptance, nor was type of diabetes. Individuals who reported complications of diabetes had significantly lower acceptance of diabetes, compared with individuals who reported no complications.

Further research should investigate the relationship between acceptance and metabolic control, as well as the effects of interventions on acceptance of diabetes. Longitudinal studies should be done to determine the trajectory of acceptance of this chronic illness. Further testing of the instrument should be directed toward other population groups, including non-white, low income and low education groups.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-10, Section: B, page: 4776.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CTR. IN NEW ORLEANS, S. OF NURSING, 1990.

School code: 1053.