Q. Understanding Behaviour of diabetic patients?
Beliefs
Each of us has a set of beliefs that were learned by us when we were young. These include religious beliefs and beliefs about behaviour. Some beliefs lead to healthy behaviour and some to unhealthy behaviour. Many people believe that fruit is good for health; some believe that it is not good for health. People say eating too much sugar causes diabetes. But diabetes is caused by other factors too like genetic and lifestyle, overweight increases the risk, history of diabetes in the family etc.
Motivation
If you are motivated to do anything, you are likely to take action to carry it out. If you are not motivated you will not take action. For example, earning a good salary and having chances for promotion will motivate you to do your job properly. If you are not paid and not given promotion or appreciation, you probably will put less effort into your job. In college, getting compliments for doing your best will motivate you to work even better. For family, knowing that if they give healthy modified diet to a diabetic, they will be able to control sugar; this will motivate them to prepare healthy food. On the other hand, if people in a family believe that diabetes is caused by eating sugar or sweets, they will not be motivated to modify diet or exercise or take medicine. But if they know diabetes is in families and it needs change in life style to prevent it, they will take steps to modify diet and exercise to prevent future complications.
Norms
Norms are normal ideas and behaviours in the society or community. A norm may be to say prayer before dinner. For women in rural areas the norm may be to cover their head in front of the elders. In some communities it is the norm to eat with hand.