Types and sources of social support among adults living with type 2 diabetes in rural communities in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes management hinges on various determinants, including the role of interpersonal relationships in self-management behaviours. The aim of this study was to explore the types and sources of social support received by adults in the diabetes diagnosis and self-management processes. We conducted qualitative interviews with 28 men and women at two rural clinics in the Dominican Republic and used a combination of narrative and thematic analytic techniques to identify key sources and types of social support in their diabetes experiences. Participants described three stages in their diabetes experience: diagnosis, programme-enrolment, and long-term management. During diabetes diagnosis, most participants described receiving no support. At the programme-enrolment stage, friends and neighbours frequently provided informational or instrumental support to get to the clinic. In long-term management, cohabiting partners provided the most support, which was often assistance with their diet. Our findings highlight he need to assess and leverage distinct types and sources of social support at different stages of the diabetes experience.

Relationship between perceived social support and postpartum care attendance in three Latin American countries: a cross-sectional analytic study

“…Likewise, women from the Dominican Republic exhibit lower levels of perceived social support when compared to their counterparts and this may influence attendance to post-partum care for this subgroup. While this difference was found in our study, studies evaluating social support experiences in communities in Dominican Republic [ 29 ] and in Costa Rica [ 30 ], women consistently reported lower levels of social support compared to men.…”

Coping with diabetes stress among adults in rural Dominican Republic: “I don’t think about it”

“…Social and economic stressors were also salient among our participants as facets of living a normal life. 6 No le doy mente could be a local variation of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) by helping people with diabetes avoid dwelling on thoughts to protect their health. MBSR is an 8-week, groupbased intervention which promotes nonjudgmental acceptance of life events and emotions.…”

“…Based on previous research in which we identified gendered patterns in the experiences of diabetes, 6 we purposively sampled men and women. In June 2017, we recruited participants from one CCI/ILAC clinic when patients came for their routine care visits.…”

“…The continuous adjustment to living with T2D, particularly as people age, is influenced by factors at multiple levels including health literacy, economic resources, social support, stigma, and shame. [3][4][5][6] Structural factors, like access to healthy food, healthcare, medication, and opportunities for physical activity, also influence diabetes self-management and outcomes. 8 These multi-level factors act as chronic stressors that are strongly associated with diabetes-related stress.…”

Evaluation of a program to improve intermediate diabetes outcomes in rural communities in the Dominican Republic

“…The CCI program plans to bolster the lifestyle diabetes prevention efforts and emotional support [26] in the clinic populations and in the surrounding rural communities; this will be implemented primarily through augmenting the role of health promoters through training and support [12]. Community engagement for program sustainability and transformation of the dietary and physical activity environment is also a goal; patient associations have now been organized at each clinic [27] They are working on community gardens, raising poultry, and other fund-raising efforts to sustain the program.…”