M.A. (Research Psychology) / It has become increasingly recognized that medical outcomes in chronic illness depend substantially on behavioural factors as well as biochemical factors (Hamburg & Inoff, 1984, p.321), and health-related personnel have begun to realize that comprehensive care of chronically ill individuals should be based on the tenet that the person is a biopsychosocial being who is in constant interaction with the environment ...

Inadequate, expensive health care services for the chronically ill, confront the lay person as one of the major forces in the social movement toward self-care. The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to investigate within a theoretical framework derived from Orem's conceptual model of nursing relationships among family as a social support system, exercise of self-care agency, and health status for the person with a chronic illness. The sample group was 51 chronically ill adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who attended diabetic instructions from one of the Central Indiana Hospitals. Findings indicated a weak positive correlation between self-care and cohesion and weak negative correlation between health status and cohesion. Findings also revealed significant differences between male and female for the variables self-care and conflict.Conclusions were that this study supported certain relationships proposed by Orem's conceptual model in nursing. Results can guide diabetics in providing optimal daily self-care. Professionals in the health care arena can utilize the results for educational development and encouragement of self-care agency in the adult diabetic. The family members can also clarify roles in supporting the diabetic adult. / School of Nursing