Faculty Collaboration Database

Gender invariance in the relationship between social support and glycemic control. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0285373

Date

05/08/2023

Pubmed ID

37155683

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10166517

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0285373

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85158130153 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social support (SS) is important in diabetes self-management; however, little is known about how different types of SS influence diabetes outcomes in men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between types of SS and glycemic control and self-care behaviors and assess whether the relationships differ by gender.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 615 adults from two primary care clinics in the southeastern U.S. Outcomes were hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) extracted from the medical records, and self-management behaviors (general diet, specific diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, foot care) measured using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). Independent variable was SS (emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, positive social interaction) measured using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) SS Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to understand pathways between SS and glycemic control based on a theoretical model.

RESULTS: Tangible support was significantly associated with self-care (r = 0.16; p = 0.046) and affectionate support was marginally associated with glycemic control (r = 0.15; p = 0.08) for both men and women. Using SEM to test gender invariance, there was no statistically significant difference in the meaning of SS between men and women. However, unique invariances in responses occurred, including a stronger relationship between tangible support and self-care for women (r = 0.24; p = 0.061).

CONCLUSIONS: Of the four components of SS, tangible and affectionate support had the strongest influence on glycemic control. While affectionate support will improve glycemic control in both men and women, tangible support will improve self-care management, particularly in women.

Author List

Williams JS, Walker RJ, Egede LE

Authors

Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rebekah Walker PhD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joni Williams MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Blood Glucose
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Female
Humans
Male
Self Care
Social Support