The relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress in non-Hispanic Black adults living with Type 2 diabetes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Debra Anita Neblett (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Laurie Kennedy-Malone

Abstract: Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition that affects over 30 million people, with increased prevalence in non-Hispanic Black adults. Engagement in the self-care of diabetes is necessary to prevent complications and maintain stability. In addition to these changes, the emotional response associated with diabetes, diabetes distress, can influence one’s self-care of diabetes. Recognizing that diabetes distress can impact one’s ability to manage self-care activities, the concept of diabetes distress should be considered when studying self-care behaviors. The purpose of this study was to (a) describe the concepts of self-care of diabetes (self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management) and diabetes distress and its subscales (emotional burden, physician distress, regimen distress, and interpersonal distress) in non-Hispanic Black adults ages 18-64 years old living with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in North Carolina and (b) to ascertain if there are relationships between and among the concepts self-care of diabetes and diabetes stress and its subscales in the same population. A cross-sectional correlational design was conducted utilizing a confidential online survey accessed via a QR code or a URL link. A convenience sampling method was used, and participants were recruited from community-based settings. An investigator-designed questionnaire collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics data. The self-care of diabetes (self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management) and diabetes distress were measured using the Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory and the Diabetes Distress Scale 17. Descriptive statistics and median regression were used to describe the study sample and answer the research questions. A total of 310 participants met the eligibility criteria for the study, and 275 took the online survey. In this sample of non-Hispanic Black adults, the level of self-care of diabetes (self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management) was less than adequate, and the participants experienced moderate to high levels of diabetes distress. The findings demonstrated a positive association between total diabetes distress score and self-care monitoring and self-care management (with and without insulin use), indicating that as diabetes distress increased, so did the level of self-care of diabetes. Income, last self-reported HbA1c, and the number of diabetes-related comorbidities showed a statistically significant association with self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management (with and without insulin use) scores. The total diabetes distress score showed a statistically significant association with self-care monitoring and self-care management (with and without insulin use). The diabetes distress subscales did not show a statistically significant association with the self-care of diabetes. Previous studies showed as diabetes distress increased, diabetes self-care behaviors decreased, contributing to poor glycemic control and poorer health outcomes. The findings indicate the need for more studies to examine the relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress in non-Hispanic Black adults living with type 2 diabetes. Understanding the relationship between diabetes distress and the self-care of diabetes is crucial in addressing diabetes-related complications leading to poorer health outcomes in this population. Knowledge about the level of self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress and the relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress was gained in this sample of non-Hispanic Black adults ages 18-64 living in North Carolina. The findings of this study will inform clinical practice, education, recruitment strategies, and future research for non-Hispanic Black adults with diabetes.

The relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress in non-Hispanic Black adults living with Type 2 diabetes
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Created on 12/1/2022
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Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2022

Keywords

Diabetes distress, Diabetes related stress, Non-Hispanic Black adults, Self-care, Self-care management, Type 2 diabetes

Subjects

Type 2 diabetes $x Patients $x Care

African Americans $z North Carolina

Diabetics $z North Carolina

Self-care, Health