Patient-appraised couple emotion management and disease management among Chinese American patients with type 2 diabetes.
Family context exerts a strong influence on disease management among patients with chronic disease, but it is not clear which aspects of family life are most influential. This study examined the linkages between patient-appraised couple emotion management (conflict resolution, expressiveness, and respect) and disease management (biological, morale/depression, quality of life, and behavioral) among a relatively understudied group, Chinese American patients with type 2 diabetes. Significant main effects were found between patient-appraised couple emotion management, especially conflict resolution, and the morale component of disease management, but not the biological or behavioral components; both diabetes-specific and general relationship qualities (marital satisfaction) were independently linked to disease management. Acculturation did not qualify the findings. Similarities among ethnic groups in family and disease management relationships may be more common than differences.
Fisher
Lawrence
L
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 94143, USA. fisher@itsa.ucsf.edu
Chesla
Catherine A
CA
Chun
Kevin M
KM
Skaff
Marilyn M
MM
Mullan
Joseph T
JT
Kanter
Richard A
RA
Gardiner
Phillip S
PS
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D005202:Asia, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017008:Negotiating; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States