Lonnie K Wen1, Marvin D Shepherd2, Michael L Parchman1,3. 1. Veterans Evidence-based Research, Dissemination, and Implementation CenTer (VERDICT), South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio 2. College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin 3. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between diabetes-specific family support and other psychosocial factors with regard to diet and exercise self-care behavior among older Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Adults aged 55 years and older who presented for care in a primary care clinic for type 2 diabetes (N=138) completed a survey to assess family support specific to diabetes, barriers to self-management, self-efficacy, and diabetes self-care activities. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between family support and self-care activities for diet and exercise. RESULTS: Higher levels of perceived family support and greater self-efficacy were associated with higher reported levels of diet and exercise self-care. As the barriers to exercise increased, the levels of exercise self-care decreased. Living with family members (more than just a spouse or significant other) was associated with higher levels of diet self-care, as was older age. CONCLUSIONS: Family behavior is associated with diet and exercise self-care. Diabetes educators and healthcare providers should consider involving the entire family in the management of older patients with type 2 diabetes. Interventions designed to improve diabetes self-management should address family support specific to diabetes, self-efficacy, and barriers to self-care.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between diabetes-specific family support and other psychosocial factors with regard to diet and exercise self-care behavior among older Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Adults aged 55 years and older who presented for care in a primary care clinic for type 2 diabetes (N=138) completed a survey to assess family support specific to diabetes, barriers to self-management, self-efficacy, and diabetes self-care activities. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between family support and self-care activities for diet and exercise. RESULTS: Higher levels of perceived family support and greater self-efficacy were associated with higher reported levels of diet and exercise self-care. As the barriers to exercise increased, the levels of exercise self-care decreased. Living with family members (more than just a spouse or significant other) was associated with higher levels of diet self-care, as was older age. CONCLUSIONS: Family behavior is associated with diet and exercise self-care. Diabetes educators and healthcare providers should consider involving the entire family in the management of older patients with type 2 diabetes. Interventions designed to improve diabetes self-management should address family support specific to diabetes, self-efficacy, and barriers to self-care.