The Application of the Transtheoretical Model of Change to Self-care Behaviors in Type 2 Diabetics

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) has been investigated as a model of health behavior change; however, it has only begun to gain recognition in the diabetic population, and has not yet been investigated as it relates to the full-spectrum of diabetes self-care behaviors.</p> <p><strong>Purpose.</strong> The purpose of this study was to compare the pattern of stages of change across four self-care behaviors between intervention and control groups, and examine psychosocial and health outcome variables.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>In a cross-sectional design, a sample of 132 adult subjects with type 2 diabetes completed surveys. The survey assessed stages of change among self-care behaviors (self- monitoring blood glucose, diet, exercise, and weight management), psychosocial variables (understanding of diabetes, self-efficacy, ability to manage diabetes, attitude toward diabetes, mental well-being, and social support), and health outcomes (blood glucose level, BMI, fitness, perceived physical health, and number of diabetes-related symptoms). Subjects in the control group received standard care, and those in the intervention group participated in a three-day, multi-disciplinary intervention program in addition to standard care.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> 1) Treatment differences. There were more subjects in the action stages (action and maintenance) than in the pre-action stages (precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation) in the intervention group than the control group. This was statistically significant for diet (71% vs. 26%, p < .001), blood glucose monitoring (79% vs. 58%, p < .01), and weight management (31% vs. 19%, p < .05), but not for exercise (45% vs. 61%, n.s.). Those in the intervention group also had significantly better understanding of diabetes (p < .01); however, there were no significant differences found for the other psychosocial variables measured. 2) Stage patterns. With treatment groups combined, subjects in the higher stages (action and maintenance) demonstrated significantly greater understanding of diabetes, better self-efficacy, more positive attitudes toward diabetes, and better mental well-being across self-care behaviors excluding weight management. Of the self-care behaviors, exercise and self-monitoring of blood glucose were linked with better health outcomes.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> The results of this study support the application of TTM to understanding diabetes self-management across several behaviors. More research is needed applying all constructs of TTM to different aspects of self-care in diabetes, with exercise and smoking as key components.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year

2005

Author dc:creator

• Mercer, Heather N.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Helen Hopp Marshak
• Kelly R. Morton
• John K. Testerman

• Preventive Medicine
• Psychology
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 -- prevention and control; Self Care; Health Behavior; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Health Promotion -- methods

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1574

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2344