Racial discrimination-related stress influenced type 2 diabetes management in 17 Black adults, with men engaging in avoidance coping and women endorsing the superwoman schema.
Observational (n=17)
Yes
Gender differences exist in coping mechanisms for racial discrimination-related stress among Black adults with T2D, which may impact dietary changes and self-management.
Introduction and Objective: In the United States, Black adults have a high incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and T2D-related mortality rates. T2D risk factors include chronic stress; physical inactivity; obesity or overweight; living with prediabetes; and being older (over age 45). Black Americans face increased exposure to psychological stressors (e.g., racial discrimination) that increase T2D risk. This study explored how racial discrimination-related stress impacts Black adults’ ability to make behavioral changes to improve T2D management. Methods: Black adults 18 years of age or older living in Prince George’s County, Maryland or Metro Detroit, Michigan, with a clinical diagnosis of T2D, were recruited to participate in one-hour, semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were conducted between September-December 2024. Core narratives were constructed using latent thematic analysis to identify underlying patterns and shared meanings, and to examine social contexts shaping participant experiences. Results: Seventeen individuals participated. Six themes were identified: (1) A change in family dynamics influences diet; (2) Standing firm and unshaken; (3) With age comes increased knowledge; (4) Change comes from within; (5) Partnership with healthcare provider; and (6) Relying on God and community. Spousal support and familial loss were key drivers of food choices for male participants. Male participants engaged in avoidance coping, while female participants endorsed the superwoman schema and its added stress, which contributed to dietary changes for some respondents. Conclusion: Future research should improve methods for capturing often-suppressed experiences of racial discrimination. This research can be used to strengthen patient-provider engagement and advance evidence-based T2D self-management approaches. Disclosure A. Ewen: None. J. Hawkins: None. C.S. Fryer: None. Funding Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship; Barry Portnoy Dissertation Research Award; National Institutes of Health (P30 AG015281); Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR)
EWEN et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Type 2 diabetes (n=17). Racial discrimination-related stress was evaluated on Themes related to behavioral changes for T2D management. Racial discrimination-related stress influenced type 2 diabetes management in 17 Black adults, with men engaging in avoidance coping and women endorsing the superwoman schema.