A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis to Explore Diabetes Self-Care Factors in a Rural Sample

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Diabetes necessitates effective self-care to prevent complications.
• Determinants of diabetes self-care in rural populations remain under-explored.
• Underserved rural communities face unique challenges in diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine psychosocial factors influencing diabetes self-care activities.
• To explore relationships between diabetes knowledge, perceived self-management, fatalism, and social support.
• To investigate these factors within an underserved rural population in the southern US.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a structural equation model based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model of Diabetes Self-Care (IMB-DSC).
• Analyzed data from a cluster randomized trial testing a disease risk reduction program for adults with prediabetes and diabetes.
• Focused on psychosocial determinants of self-care behaviors in a rural sample.

Main Results:

• Perceived diabetes self-management significantly predicted self-care behaviors.
• A correlation was observed between perceived diabetes self-management and diabetes fatalism.
• Perceived self-management was a key influence on diabetes self-care activities in this rural group.

Conclusions:

• Perceived diabetes self-management is a critical factor for self-care in rural populations.
• Diabetes fatalism is associated with perceived self-management, highlighting a potential barrier.
• Findings can inform clinical care and community programs to improve diabetes management and health equity in rural areas.