Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Mary L. Gutierrez

Abstract

Diabetes is a public health concern among older adults in the United States due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes among this age group and the associated long-term and financial impacts. Self-management is a key strategy in the control of diabetes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association between social support and glycohemoglobin level. The social cognitive theory was the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions were designed to determine whether social support played a role in diabetes management. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey of secondary data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The participants represented a national sample of adults aged 65 years and older. The dependent variable was the glycohemoglobin level, and the independent variables were emotional and financial support, sources of social support, and sociodemographic factors. Statistical analyses, consisting of univariate analyses, were conducted to characterize the sample, and simple and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted for hypotheses testing. After controlling for the confounders, the multiple regression analyses revealed a statistically significant association between emotional and financial support, sources of social support, the frequency of religious activities, and the size of the social network and glycohemoglobin level. Spousal support, frequency of religious activities, and the size of the social network were positively associated with glycohemoglobin level. The study findings might contribute to positive social change through the integration of social support into clinical practices by using family-centered and church-based approaches to improve diabetes management among older adults.

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