This study explored the impact of a multigenerational legacy of diabetes on
patients’ self-care behavior using a novel practice-based theory. We examined
the impact of a patient’s recollections of a family member’s illness representation
of time line and understanding of diabetes and the patient’s own illness
representation of time line and understanding and related it back to the patient’s
own self-care behaviors. Given the multigenerational and epidemic occurrence
of diabetes, information about how perceptions of illness cross generations is
particularly timely. When validated and refined, a practice-based theory that is
highly context specific may provide an efficient approach to developing tailored
interventions to improve self-care behavior, patient outcomes, and satisfaction.
The findings of this study provide support for Rolland’s (1994) family-systemsillness and disability framework, which proposes that perceptions of illness time
line and illness understanding are shared among family members and that the
expectations that arise from these perceptions may influence adaptation, in this
case, self-care behavioral choice