title: An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Gender on Health Behavior Among African American and Latino Men With Type 2 Diabetes.
abstract: This study explores gender values and beliefs among Latino and African American men with diabetes and examines how these values and beliefs may influence their health behaviors. Participants were recruited from individuals who participated in one of three Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Detroit Partnership diabetes self-management interventions. One focus group was conducted with African American men ( n = 10) and two focus groups were conducted with Latino men ( n = 12) over a 3-month period. Sessions lasted 90 minutes, were audiotaped, and analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques. Two themes emerged that characterize gender identity and its relationship to health behavior in men: (a) men's beliefs about being men (i.e., key aspects of being a man including having respect for themselves, authority figures, and peers; fulfilling the role as breadwinner; being responsible for serving as the leader of the family; and maintaining a sense of chivalry) and (b) influence of gender values and beliefs on health behavior (i.e., the need to maintain a strong image to the outside world, and the need to maintain control of themselves served as barriers to seeking out and engaging in diabetes self-management behaviors). Results suggest that gender values and beliefs may have implications for how health behaviors among men with diabetes. Future research should study the direct impact masculine identity has on health behaviors among men with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jaclynn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Daphne C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kieffer
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Gretchen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piatt
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nicklett
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lebron
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Espitia
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|3 Community Health and Social Services Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmisano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019468:Disease Management; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: diabetes; masculinity