This study explores spousal helping behavior related to diabetes management as seen from the perspective of the person with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes described spousal behaviors considered helpful in one context that were considered intrusive or unhelpful in other situations. When the helpful and unhelpful situations were compared, two factors emerged that were fundamental influences in subjects' acceptance or rejection of help and the manner in which it was accepted or refused. These factors were perceived need for help and subjects' perception of spousal motivation for action. Combinations of these factors gave rise to four distinct response patterns: grudging acceptance of help, grateful acceptance of help, respectful rejection of help, and punitive rejection of help. The impact of these response patterns on diabetes management is discussed.
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