Compliance and the health relief model--its relevance to the treatment of juvenile diabetes mellitus.

The significance of the concept of compliance is shown. There is made a distinction between compliance, identification and internalization. Factors of importance to compliant behaviour, beside personality variables, are mentioned. For example group goals, the need to be popular, the maintenance of existing relationships and the need for correct behaviour. The Health Belief Model (HBM) as defined, especially by Becker and associates, is discussed. Compliant behaviour (in a group of mothers to diseased children) is said to be dependent to: - General Health - Related Motivation - The Value of Reducing the Threat - The Probability of Reducing the Threat HBM is related to juvenile diabetes mellitus, as an example of a chronic, serious and difficult-to-treat disease, and found to be useful also in this case.