How diabetics create and display their identities in routine communication

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to digital@library.tamu.edu, referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references: p. 98-103.Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Although the disease can be controlled through specific measures, it often leads to severe complications and, eventually, death. The complex regimen and pressures from society often deter diabetics from practicing effective self-management. An understanding of how diabetics create identity would aid health professionals and others in creating programs to improve the quality of self-management. To this end, this grounded theory study examined the creation and display of identities among members of diabetic support groups. Through their talk, participants revealed that their experiences with and definition of diabetes impacted their identity. The identity they created was revealed in their communication in the groups and individual inter-views. The topics that were most significant were control, social support, and food. Their talk about these themes not only displayed their identity, but also demonstrated the reciprocal relationship between identity and their quality of self-management