Patterns in the lives of African American women with diabetes

The experience of African American women with diabetes has not been fully understood to guide meaningful practice. This community-based collaborative action research, based on Newman's nursing theory of health as expanding consciousness, sought to understand the experience of African American women living with diabetes, and to envision new patterns of health by engaging women in dialogue about the meaning of their experiences. Interviews with 7 women revealed the multi-faceted nature of living with diabetes; blood sugars rise and fall with stress, depression, and trauma, as well as spiritual strength, mentors, and sister friends balance energy demands. Findings were woven into a spoken word narrative to engage the wider community in dialogue to gain new insights into how to live and relate in healthier ways. These findings give rise to a different model of community health and guide nurses to focus holistically on what is meaningful in the lives of their patients.