The Quality of Family Relationships, Diabetes Self-Care, and Health Outcomes in Older Adults

• Published in: Diabetes spectrum Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 132 - 138
• Main Authors: David, Daniel, Dalton, Joanne, Magny-Normilus, Cherlie, Brain, Maura Moran, Linster, Tyler, Lee, Sei J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Diabetes Association 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Behavior; Chronic illnesses; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Older people
• ISSN: 1040-9165; 1944-7353
• DOI: 10.2337/ds18-0039

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between family support, diabetes self-care, and health outcomes in older, community-dwelling adults. Using the theoretical framework of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Theory and a cross-sectional design, 60 participants completed questionnaires related to diabetes self-care activities of the individual, supportive and nonsupportive diabetes behaviors of the family, and the quality of family relations. Participants indicated that diabetes self-care behaviors were performed frequently, with exercise reported as the least-performed behavior. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the quality of family relations as measured by the Family Relationship Index contributed significantly (26.0%) to the variability in A1C levels ( = 0.260, (1, 40) = 14.037, = 0.001). Neither family supportive behavior nor the quality of family relations contributed to diabetes self-care. It is recommended that health care providers include family members to assess diabetes family support and family relationships in the care of older adults with diabetes.