Sick/Well Self-concept Adaptations in Adults With Diabetes

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the self-concept related to being sick or being well in adults with diabetes. What will be discussed is one portion of the adaptive task, "preserving a satisfactory self-image" (Moos & Tsu. 1977, p. 9). Many of the ideas expressed apply to people with a variety of chronic illnesses, but the particular application in this paper is to those with diabetes. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK It is indicated by Bateson (1979) in a striking passage that the self-concept is determined by the ideas one has: The mind contains no things, no pigs, no people, no midwife toads, or what have you, only ideas . . . information about 'things' ... It follows that the boundaries of the individual, if real at all, will be, not spatial boundaries, but something more like the sacks that represent sets in set theoretical diagrams or the bubbles that come out of the mouths of the characters in comic strips. (p. 132)