title: Is social support universally adaptive in diabetes? A correlational study in an Arabic-speaking population with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between diabetes self-care, diabetes-specific emotional distress, and social support and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1C levels: HbA1c) among a sample of Lebanese adults with type 2 diabetes. A descriptive correlational design was adapted with descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions for analyses. A convenience sample of 140 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes was recruited from 2 diabetes clinics in Greater Beirut. Participants were asked to complete 4 questionnaires in Arabic. Significant associations (P < .05) were found between following a general diet for more than 3.5 days per week and higher social support and HbA1c levels of 7% or more. Social support was positively associated with HbA1c levels such that participants with uncontrolled glycemic levels, as evidenced by higher values for HbA1c, received more support from their social network.
authors.affiliation: Lebanese American University, Alice Ramez Chagoury, School of Nursing, Byblos, Lebanon (Dr Sukkarieh-Haraty); Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Science, School of Nursing, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Howard).
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sukkarieh-Haraty
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires