Patterns and Stability over Time of Older Adults' Diabetes-related Beliefs

Abstract

Objectives We sought to identify coherent profiles of diabetes beliefs within discrete domains (ie causes, symptoms, consequences, self management, and medical management), and delineate consistency of belief profiles over one month. Methods Diabetes beliefs of rural-dwelling older adults were assessed with the Common Sense Model of Diabetes Inventory at baseline (N = 593) and one month later (N = 563). Results A discrete number of belief patterns were identified in each belief domain using latent class analysis. Belief patterns varied by the extent to which more popular or folk notions of diabetes encroached on biomedical understandings of the disease. Belief patterns were generally stable over time. Conclusions A manageable number of belief patterns can be identified and used to strengthen patient-centered care and, potentially, enhance diabetes management.

Psychometric Properties of the Theory of Mind Assessment Scale in a Sample of Adolescents and Adults

“…The classic tests for the assessment of ToM, the false beliefs tasks , were created in the domain of developmental psychology (Wimmer and Perner, 1983 ; Baron-Cohen et al, 1985 ). They require the subject to recognize another person's beliefs when they differ from those of the subject herself, under the assumption that this is the only certain proof of the availability of a theory of mind (Dennett, 1978 ). False belief tasks investigate first- or second-order ToM.…”