Filial Piety and Tiwala: Diabetes Knowledge and Family Support Among Chinese and Filipino Americans

Introduction: Asian Americans are at heightened risk for type 2 diabetes, yet research on cultural and intergenerational dynamics remains limited. Methods: Guided by Family Systems Theory and Leininger’s Transcultural Nursing Theory, this cross-sectional study examined diabetes knowledge and family support in 102 Chinese and Filipino American dyads (parent with diabetes + adult child) in Northern California. Results: Using the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire and the Family Supporters National Survey Tool, we found that Filipino parents scored higher in diabetes knowledge than Chinese parents. T-tests revealed significant differences in knowledge scores between Chinese and Filipino parents, t (102) = −2.91, p < .004, d = .45. Four significant predictors emerged: dyadic roles, age, English proficiency, and health status, F (9, 94) = 4.66, p < .001, R 2 = .31. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a positive correlation between diabetes knowledge and family support among Filipino children but an inverse trend among Chinese children, F (1, 97) = 4.22, p = .043. Discussion: Findings suggest the importance of culturally tailored, family-centered diabetes interventions for Asian American communities.