Causal Beliefs and Coping with Illness:A Qualitative Study of Living with Type-2 Diabetes

The major objective of this qualitative study was to explore the factors of causal beliefs and coping with illness among type 2 diabetes patients. The sample consisted of 35 type 2 diabetes patients with age range from 35 to 60 years. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule. Interview schedule tapped information regarding demographic details such as age, gender, education level, time line, and socioeconomic status and also includes the questions related to search for a causal explanation, feelings, and their action. Thematic network analysis was done to analyze the data. Results showed that the causal beliefs were classified into 3 categories such as knowledge about diabetes, their preference and choice and their ideology about an illness. Another belief about their illness emerged through data analysis i.e. internal locus of control and external locus of control. Results further showed that coping was categorized into three main categories such as approach and avoidance. Findings concluded that the patients with diabetes try to find out the meaning of their illness, engage in various activities to adapt their illness and develop the ability to cope with it.