ANALYSIS OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREDICTION OF ADHERENCE TO A DIABETIC DIET USING FISHBEIN'S MODEL.
Contributors: Indiana University School of Nursing.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 142
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Adherence to a prescribed diet is perceived by professionals as fundamental treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study tested the ability of Fishbein's formulation to predict the intention of persons with diabetes to adhere to a prescribed diet. The social norm variable was tested in its combined form (SNORM) and in its separate components: perceived expectations of significant others (SO) and motivation to comply (MC) with these expectations. Variables of state locus of control (SLOC), age, duration of disease (LONG), and experience of teaching about diabetes (CLASS) were measured and expected to enhance prediction.

Seventy persons with diabetes ranging in age from 13 to 74 comprised the convenience sample. An instrument composed of data inquiry and three Likert-type scales and two semantic differential scales was constructed and administered. Analyses for internal consistency yielded Cronbach's alpha reliability estimates ranging from 0.64 to 0.90. Multiple regression procedures were used to test the hypotheses.

Age was found to be an intervening variable, therefore in all analyses teens were separated from the adults. The possibility of significance was decreased because the sample size was divided into two groups. For the first hypothesis at least one of the two variables of the Fishbein model predicted.

The SLOC measure did not enter any analyses. Therefore, the second hypothesis which added this measure to Aact and social norm, was not supported.

For the teens, the variables CLASS, MOT and LONG yielded moderate and significant findings (MR.52, $<$ p.004). There were no significant findings for the adult sample due to sample size.

For the fourth hypothesis, the beta weight scores for each component differed by age in the expected direction. However, findings were not significant.

The total variance accounted for by this study was small (.21). Habit, personal normative beliefs, the MOT factor, and the construct of CLASS were factors recommended for further study.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-09, Section: B, page: 2605.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1986.

School code: 0815.