Abstract

Objective: To assess the potential effectiveness of communicating familial risk of diabetes on illness perceptions and self-reported behavioural outcomes.

Research design and methods: Individuals with a family history of diabetes were randomized to receive risk information based on familial and general risk factors (n=59) or general risk factors alone (n=59). Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires at baseline, 1-week, and 3-months.

Results: Compared to those receiving general risk information, those receiving familial risk information perceived heredity to be a more important cause of diabetes (p<0.01) at 1-week follow-up, and perceived greater control over preventing diabetes (p<0.05) and reported having eaten more healthily (p=0.01) after three months. Behavioural intentions did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: Communicating familial risk increased personal control and thus did not result in fatalism. Although the intervention did not influence intentions to change behaviour, there was some evidence to suggest it increases healthy behaviour.