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Family Interactions Among African Americans Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes

From the University of Virginia School of Nursing (RAJ, SWU, ICW, IH, GA, RS), University of Virginia Medical Center (CM, JB), and University of Virginia School of Medicine (NO), Charlottesville, Virginia. Funding source: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research P-20 NR009009 and by additional funds from the Rural Health Care Research Center of the University of Virginia School of Nursing.

Correspondence to Randy A. Jones, PhD, RN, Roberts Scholar, University of Virginia School of Nursing, 202 15th St SW, McLeod Hall, PO Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA 22908; e-mail: raj9c{at}virginia.edu.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of family and friends on the management of persons with diabetes and their willingness to be involved in a culturally tailored program.

Methods

This qualitative study was based within a larger quasi-experimental study that focused on the impact of a culturally tailored group intervention compared with individual standard diabetes education on the outcomes of self-management and glycemic control among rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-one participants were randomly assigned to an individual education group or a culturally tailored intervention group. Family members/peers (n = 6) attended invited group sessions to obtain information about diabetes and family/peer support. The facilitator of the invited group sessions used a guide to help with group discussions. The investigators used an iterative approach to enhance the examination of the responses from the discussion guide, thus identifying recurring themes within the participants' responses.

Results

The data revealed that family and friends made a difference in the diabetes management of individuals with diabetes. Although family and friends may have been helpful at times, they also created moments of problems and an environment that made it more difficult to care for diabetes. The data also revealed that diabetes is hard tomanage and control. Participants reported that taking medications and being aware of types of foods to keep a well-maintained glucose level were often challenging.

Conclusions

These findings confirm that family and peers greatly influence diabetes management among rural African Americans. The study's results will help health care providers understand the importance of involving family members and friends in the treatment and diabetes management of individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly within rural African American communities where resources are limited.

The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 34, No. 2, 318-326 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0145721708314485


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