Impact of communicating familial risk of diabetes on illness perceptions and self-reported behavioral outcomes: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential effectiveness of communicating familial risk of diabetes on illness perceptions and self-reported behavioral outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Individuals with a family history of diabetes were randomized to receive risk information based on familial and general risk factors (n = 59) or general risk factors alone (n = 59). Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires at baseline, 1 week, and 3 months. RESULTS: Compared with individuals receiving general risk information, those receiving familial risk information perceived heredity to be a more important cause of diabetes (P <0.01) at 1-week follow-up, perceived greater control over preventing diabetes (P