Illness perceptions in Turkish migrants with diabetes: A qualitative study

Abstract

Illness perceptions are usually conceptualized using the self-regulatory model of illness. Although a few examinations of illness perceptions among Turkish language populations exist, the validity of the self-regulatory model of illness has never been confirmed for this population group. The aim of our study was to explore the validity of the self-regulatory model of illness in chronically ill Turkish migrants residing in Germany using diabetes mellitus type 2 as an example. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Turkish migrants with self-reported diabetes who were recruited through key persons. The core aspects of the qualitative data were extracted through a hermeneutic approach. Subsequently, a system of categories and sub-categories was developed by means of content analysis. Seven distinct core dimensions of illness perceptions, each with a different number of sub-domains, could be identified in the sample. They comprised the perceived timeline of diabetes, its consequences, its causes, its controllability as well as the identity/coherence and the emotional response with respect to the condition. As regards the conceptualization of illness perceptions, the dimensions identified are in line with the self-regulatory model of illness. Addressing illness perceptions through tailored interventions may contribute to improving health care and health outcomes in Turkish migrants.