of diabetes from family members’ cues about the meaning of symptoms and thus
interpret symptoms similarly. Observers form an impression of another’s health
based on that other’s actions, appearance, and verbalizations (Brissette, Leventhal, &
Leventhal, 2003). Patients with diabetes tend to emphasize personal experience and
social consequences when explaining their diabetes (Helman, 2001). Recollections
of inaccurate illness representations of family members can result in misapplied
responses to the natural progression of hereditary disease (Greene, 2000). Illness
representations are personal, based on one’s perceptions. It is likely that certain
memories of a family member, whether vivid or vague, have an influence on one’s
perception. Recollections of a family member’s diabetes beliefs and self-care behavior
is subject to bias and may reflect an individual’s attempt to understand his or
her own illness. Memories provide meaningful information clinicians can utilize to
enhance patient’s self-care effort.