The influence of locus of control on risk perception in older South Asian people with Type 2 diabetes in the UK

Abstract

Background. South Asians living in the UK have an increased predisposition to developing Type 2 diabetes. It usually occurs later in life and has significant long-term risks that are preventable with life-style changes. Changes in life-style practices are likely to be influenced by an individual's perception of control over his/her health yet perceptions of risk are influenced by sociocultural factors, religious beliefs and gender. Method. In this Grounded Theory study, data collection involved: two focus group interviews with health development workers representing ethnic minorities; seven individual interviews with practitioners (three physicians, three nurse specialists and a dietitian); 20 interviews with UK-resident older South Asians (nine men and eleven women) with Type 2 diabetes together with analysis of their medical records. Data for the study were collected between March 2004-February 2005. Findings. Those participants who demonstrated an internal locus of control were proactive in managing their diabetes-related risks. Participants with an external locus of control in perceiving and managing their risks related to diabetes believed that their diabetes was due to fate, bad luck, divine planning or familial predisposition and were reactive in engaging with diabetes-related risks. Relevance to clinical practice. This study demonstrates the role of affect and external locus of control in risk engagement among older South Asians with Type 2 Diabetes. The appropriateness of the concordance and empowerment model of diabetes care for minority ethnic groups such as the South Asians who engage with diabetes-related risks reactively driven by external locus of control needs to be carefully assessed.