Social Cognitive Predictors of Diabetes Outcomes in Latinos and Whites

<p>Investigating health care disparities in ethnic minority populations is an increasingly urgent issue as these disparities lead to higher morbidity and mortality in minorities (National Center of Health Statistics, 2000). There is clear evidence that Latino Americans, the fastest growing minority group in the United States, are more likely to be diagnosed with and experience more severe complications from type 2 diabetes than Anglo Americans. This study surveyed 38 White and 33 Latino diabetes patients from outpatient clinics in an academic medical center. Cultural values (individualism and collectivism), mental health (social support, mental health), and self-efficacy (diabetes and exercise) were used to predict HbA1c, BMI, and Blood Pressure control. It was hypothesized that cultural values would be moderated by well-being and self-efficacy during diabetic treatment. Specifically, better health outcomes are expected with lower levels of depression, higher family support for diabetes, and more confidence about diabetes self management tasks. HbA1c was most strongly predicted by self-efficacy and mental health constructs; however, cultural values did not play a large role in the models. Ethnicity and exercise self-efficacy interactions indicated that Latino’s lower exercise self-efficacy had a more adverse impact on HbA1c and Blood Pressure control than in Whites. Moreover, White’s lower diabetic self-efficacy had a more adverse impact on HbA1c and Blood Pressure control than in Latinos. Latinos reported significantly higher collaborative religious coping and higher family support for diabetes than Whites; however, Latinos family support did not predict improved health outcomes. To motivate lifestyle change for better diabetes outcomes, healthcare providers should address emotional well-being and self-efficacy specifically related to diabetes self management for Whites and exercise self-efficacy for Latinos. Healthcare providers should address their patient’s efficacy in diabetes management across both affective and social cognitive domains to advance necessary lifestyle changes in diabetic patients.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Diana

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kelly R. Morton
• Kendal C. Boyd
• David V. Chavez

• Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior
• Health Psychology
• Mental and Social Health
• Multicultural Psychology
• Psychology
• Diabetes -- Treatment; Self-management (Psychology) Behavior modification; Diabetes Mellitus -- therapy; Health Behavior; Hispanic Americans; European Continental Ancestry Group; Attitude to Health; Risk Factors; Life Style; Self Efficacy; Social Perception; Cross-Cultural Studies; Forecasting -- trends -- United States; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care)

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1551

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2328