Identity representations of people with diabetes

Ramos, Natália; Brito, Maria José; Gazzinelli, Maria Flávia

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/16019

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
identity representations of people with diabetes.pdf		88.82 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Ramos, Natália

Brito, Maria José

Gazzinelli, Maria Flávia

Abstract(s)

In this study, we aimed to investigate the construction of identity representations by primary health care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their relationship to the required self-care actions. A free word association technique required clients from a basic health unit (N = 34) to suggest a word or expression and justify it in response to the question, “When talking about being a diabetic, what comes to your mind?” We performed, transcribed, and categorized the recordings, then interpreted them according to thematic content analysis, social representation, and social identity theories. Intentions mediated by identity processes—social comparison, social attribution, and categorization within the studied group—and also by objectification and anchoring, provided the following social constructions: normal, accepting of the disease, feeling unaccepting, and experiencing difficulties. The disease might alter patients’ identity representation within a context permeated by individuals’ subjective sense.

Keywords

Diabetes Health care primary Illness and disease chronic Social identity Health education Health psychology

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/16019

Citation

Amorim, M.M., Ramos, N. Brito, M. J. Gazzinelli, M. F. (2014). Identity representations of people with diabetes. In Qualitative Health Research, v. 24, n. 7, p. 913-922