The purpose of this assignment is to look at psychosocial factors which have influenced an individuals perception and behaviour towards their health and illness. The focus will be on a patient who is a non compliant type II diabetic who is reluct

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The purpose of this assignment is to look at psychosocial factors which have influenced an individual’s perception and behaviour towards their health and illness.  The focus will be on a patient who is a non compliant type II diabetic who is reluctant to change his ways and improve his health and diabetes.  To comply with the NMC The Code (2008) on confidentiality I have called my patient George.  Health locus of control, learned helplessness with issues relating to depression has been incorporated to help explore the theories behind why George may act in this way.

Psychosocial looks at both the psychological and social aspects of a person’s life.  The psychological aspect for an individual looks at their mental and emotional health and the social looks at their social life, their role in society and support they receive from others. Rana and Upton, (2009) state that psychosocial “involves aspects of both social and psychological behaviour”.  

Perception can be defined by Rookes et al (2000) as a process which involves the recognition and interpretation of stimuli which register on our senses.  Perception can be perceived as how we make sense of the environment around us using our sense organs which are touch, sight, taste smell and taste.  This does not however, consider a person’s interpretation of events.

George is a 75 year old gentleman who is a type II insulin dependent diabetic.  He had been admitted to the ward due to unstable blood glucose levels due to being noncompliant with his medications and diet.    He has daily visits from the district nurse to check and re-dress his leg ulcers and to monitor his blood glucose levels.  The district nurse believes that George is not taking his insulin as recommended which is causing side effects of his diabetes to exacerbate.

George is a solemn looking man; he is unkempt and takes no pride in his appearance.  He comes across as quite depressive in nature and in general in low spirits.  Whilst on the ward, it was quite difficult to make conversation with George.  He did not converse with other patients and only communicated with the health professionals when needed.  George has been on his own for some time and may find socializing with others quite difficult.  His low mood may hinder him from opening up and developing new relationships.    

George is a retired builder who lives alone in a small bungalow; his only income is a state pension and has no real social input.  He has little contact with his family members or neighbours, which has left him socially isolated.  George’s only social support at present is the daily visit from the district nurse.  George may depend on this service, the reliability of knowing he will have a visitor every day, checking on him.  George may feel if he becomes compliant with his diabetes he may lose this social support and be completely on his own.  Age UK (2009) quotes that loneliness and isolation are not the same thing: the causes of loneliness are not just physical isolation and lack of companionship, but also sometimes the lack of a useful role in society.  Social Justice’s (CSJ) Older Age review interim report (2010) stated in their report that research and evidence shows that as you become older, are suffering from an illness and have an inadequate level of income can put you more at risk of becoming socially isolated.

The World Health Organization (2003), outline evidence on how important social support and good social relations made contributions to health, It went on to say that people that lack emotional support, especially those who suffer from a chronic illness, have increased chance of experiencing less well-being, depression and more complications from their chronic illness, it can also lead to poor mental health.  Because George is suffering from diabetes, a chronic illness he is more likely to have decreased optimism, low self-esteem, a poor quality of relationships and that it increased his vulnerability to loneliness. Murphy (2006)

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George has a poor diet consisting of convenience foods such as microwave meals and finger foods such as cakes, sausage rolls and pasties, which he gets from his local shop.  Acheson (1998) stated in the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health Report, that “people on low incomes have insufficient money to buy items and services necessary for good health” and that “people in lower socioeconomic groups tend to eat less fruit and vegetables.”  As George’s only income was his state pension, he would only venture out to his local shop which was at the end of his street, George ...

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