title: Diabetes Causation Beliefs Among Spanish-Speaking Patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how the inquiry of cultural diabetes causation beliefs can improve Hispanic/Latino patient self-management.
  
  
  
  Two semistructured focus groups were conducted with 13 Hispanic/Latinos adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prior to taking part in the group discussion, participants completed a demographic survey and the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised.
  
  
  
  The top 5 diabetes causation items endorsed by participants per the questionnaire included stress or worry, behavior, hereditary, diet/eating habits, and family problems/worries. The qualitative analysis revealed stress as a recurring theme for a cause of diabetes. Work stress was specifically identified as a contributor to unhealthy eating and diabetes. Most participants were aware of and believed in susto and referred to it as coraje (anger). Participants believed that asking patients about their diabetes causation beliefs and emotional status can help health professionals (1) better understand the patient and (2) identify and prioritize diabetes treatments. Participants also indicated that the role of doctors is important and the encouragement that they give to patients is clinically and spiritually valued.
  
  
  
  Stress was identified as a cause of diabetes in addition to unhealthy diets and heredity. Asking patients about diabetes causation beliefs and emotional status may help prioritize treatment and management goals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Dr Concha, Dr Mezuk)
authors.forename: Jeannie Belinda
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Concha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Richmond, VA (Dr Mayer)
authors.forename: Sallie D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Dr Concha, Dr Mezuk)
authors.forename: Briana R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Mezuk
authors.affiliation: Chesterfield Family Practice, Richmond, Virginia (Dr Avula)
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Avula
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires