Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vasileios Margaritis

Abstract

About 34.2 million Americans (approximately 10.5% of the total U.S. population) live with diabetes. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and more likely to be less compliant with treatment medication regimens and suffer from related complications, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Such disparities brought attention to the need to investigate and understand better the diabetes distress of diverse groups of diabetics. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors (race, age, gender, and educational level), diabetes education, diabetes management, and diabetes distress of adult diabetics in Texas. The theory of reasoned action was the conceptual framework and the instruments used in the study were the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale and Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale. Among the 161 participants in the sample, bivariate and ordinal regression analysis revealed that there was statistically significant lower diabetes distress among the group of college educated respondents in this study and a statistically significant negative relationship between diabetes management and diabetes distress. The significant negative correlation between diabetes management and diabetes distress existed when controlled for race, age, gender, educational level, and diabetes education. This study can contribute to positive social change by leading to a better understanding of the diabetes management and diabetes distress among adults in Texas, which can be useful by practitioners and patients to improve care and management of diabetes and help reduce long-term health complications.

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