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Ethnic differences in family member diabetes involvement and psychological outcomes: results from the second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study in the USA. Curr Med Res Opin 2015;31(7):1297-307

Date

04/25/2015

Pubmed ID

25907127

DOI

10.1185/03007995.2015.1043251

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84934289097 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   10 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences among USA ethnic groups in psychological status of adult family members (FMs) and their involvement with the diabetes of another adult.

RESEARCH METHODS: Data are from the FM survey of the USA DAWN2 study, including 105 White non-Hispanics, 47 African Americans, 46 Hispanic Americans and 40 Chinese Americans. All FMs lived with and cared for an adult with diabetes. Analysis of covariance controlled for respondent and patient characteristics to assess ethnic group differences (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses identified significant (P < 0.05) independent correlates of psychological outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FM psychological outcomes measured include well-being, quality of life (QoL), impact of diabetes on life domains, diabetes distress, and burden.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01507116.

RESULTS: White non-Hispanics reported less diabetes burden and distress, more negative life impact, and lower well-being than FMs from ethnic minority groups. African Americans reported the highest well-being and lowest negative life impact, Chinese Americans reported the most diabetes burden, Hispanic Americans reported the highest distress. There were no ethnic group differences in QoL. Ethnic minority FMs reported having more involvement with diabetes, greater support success, and more access to a diabetes support network than White non-Hispanics. Higher FM diabetes involvement was associated with negative psychological outcomes, while diabetes education, support success and diabetes support network size were associated with better psychological outcomes. Potential limitations are the sample sizes and representativeness.

CONCLUSIONS: Minority ethnic FMs experienced both advantages and disadvantages in psychological outcomes relative to each other and to White non-Hispanics. Ethnic minority FMs had more involvement in diabetes care, support success and support from others, with the first associated with worse and the latter two with better psychological outcomes. Additional studies are needed with larger samples and broader representation of ethnic groups to better understand these associations and identify areas for intervention.

Author List

Peyrot M, Egede LE, Funnell MM, Hsu WC, Ruggiero L, Siminerio LM, Stuckey HL

Author

Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

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

Adult
Attitude
Diabetes Mellitus
Family
Female
Humans
Male
Quality of Life