Aims: In this study we evaluate the reliability and validity of existing Health Beliefs Model (HBM) scales developed to assess HBM domains in a population of patients with both diabetes and serious mental illness (SMI). While diabetes medication adherence has frequently been evaluated through the lens of the HBM, it is unclear if developed scales are reliable and valid in patients with SMI.
Methods: We surveyed 152 veterans with diabetes and SMI. Domains of the HBM assessed included perceived benefits, side effects and barriers to diabetes medication taking, perceived susceptibility to and severity of diabetes, diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes locus of control, and perceived diabetes control.
Results: HBM scales showed good internal reliability within a SMI population, with Cronbach alphas ranging between 0.73 and 0.86 for all scales assessed except one. HBM scales also showed associations with self reported diabetes medication adherences in six of the ten domains.
Conclusion: Scales assessing diabetes specific domains of the HBM exhibit both reliability and validity in patients with both diabetes and SMI.
Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.