One-hundred and thirty two insulin-dependent diabetic college students in the state of Indiana comprised the study sample. Within this study, the attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and perceived educational needs were assessed from the sample through a questionnaire. The college students with diabetes who were currently attending either one of the participating sixteen schools or under the care of one physician participating in this study, were voluntarily asked to respond to a 64 item questionnaire by mail. A 53 percent (70 of 132) response rate was achieved. The findings showed that the subjects displayed positive attitudes, an adequate knowledge level and adequate behavior practices. The results also revealed a need for educational programs aimed specifically towards the college student with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Such an education program would include topics which the subjects rated as being of importance to them. Considerations for further study include the effect of these behaviors, attitudes, knowledge levels, and perceived education needs directly on blood glucose control. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

The focus of this qualitative phenomenological research study was the lived experience of married couples between the ages of 60 and 70, one of whom has type 2 diabetes. The author sought to discover additional meanings concerning the experience of diabetic education, adherence to medications plans, modifications in lifestyle, and the role of the non-diabetic spouse in the experience. Participants were six married couples between the ages of 60 and 70. Three wives and three husbands had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Two one hour interviews were conducted with each couple, both spouses present. Each couple was asked the question "Tell me what it is like living with diabetes." Interviews were audio taped and transcribed by the researcher. Informant volunteers were identified using the snowball method of sampling. The author identified the two domains of experience with the health care system and experience with the spouse..Themes of the first domain were identified as relationship with health care provider and education of patient and spouse at time of diagnosis. Themes in the second domain were spousal support, perceived compliance, and perceived risk of complications. Implications for adult education and advanced nursing practice include the importance of including the non-diabetic spouse in the education and treatment plan at time of diagnosis and offering a clear explanation of the relationship between adherence and long term complications of the disease. Suggestions for further research include investigation of the self reporting of behavior modification and outcomes of adherence, the effectiveness of provider interventions in monitoring behavioral changes, and to study women with diabetes married to men without diabetes. / Department of Educational Studies

While insulin omission has been found to be a common behavior in those with type I diabetes, it has been primarily studied within the context of disordered eating behavior. Previous research supports medical providers and patients lack of comfort in discussing insulin omission. This study was designed to answer two questions. Why do young adult college students with type I diabetes omit insulin? and what factors facilitate and act as barriers to open communication regarding insulin omission in the patient-provider interaction. A total 13 (10 females, 3 males) college students completed a qualitative interview focused on insulin omission and communication of this behavior to medical providers, and 11 of the 13 completed a modified EAT-26. Using consensual qualitative research methods CQR (Hill, Thompson, & Williams, 1997), domains that emerged were reasons for insulin, predominant reason for insulin omission, motivators to give insulin as prescribed (i.e., adhere), overall communication of insulin omission to medical providers, and factors facilitating and barriers inhibiting communication regarding insulin omission to medical providers. Typical reasons for insulin omission included forgetting or delaying and forgetting, worrying about hypoglycemia and its social implications, being in situations where limited access to food/medical supplies, planning to be physically active, or being unsure of carbohydrate count in food. Insulin omission as a weight loss behavior was not reported by any of the participants during the interviews and all denied using insulin as a way to control their weight or shape on the EAT-26. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1983.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-64).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1983.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1979.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.