Information management and diabetes mellitus risk in family health communication

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Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an increasing health problem in Indonesia, particularly in families with a history of the disease where genetic risk interacts with lifestyle and communication practices. This study explores how risk perception, information avoidance, and family communication patterns shape health decision making among families in Surakarta City and Karanganyar Regency. Using a qualitative descriptive case study design, data were collected through in depth interviews and analyzed using the Risk Perception Attitude Framework, Planned Risk Information Avoidance, Activation Theory of Information Exposure, and Family Communication Patterns Theory. The findings identify two family orientations: anxious and responsive. Anxious families show high risk perception but low self efficacy, leading to collective information avoidance as a way to reduce emotional distress. Responsive families demonstrate high risk perception and high self efficacy, actively seeking health information and adopting preventive behaviors. The study highlights that information avoidance is negotiated interpersonally within families and strongly influenced by communication patterns and cultural norms. These findings emphasize the importance of family centered and culturally sensitive approaches in diabetes health communication.