Loneliness Among Black/African American Men With Type 2 Diabetes: Associations of Demographics, Symptomatology, and...

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of demographics, diabetes-related symptoms, and egocentric social networks with loneliness among Black/African American men with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

As part of a National Institute of Health-funded study, cross-sectional data were collected using an internet-based survey. Eligible respondents (n = 1220) were men who identified as Black/African American and self-reported having T2D. The dependent variable was loneliness, measured with the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3; score ≥6 indicating loneliness). Diabetes symptoms were measured by Diabetes Care Profile items. Egocentric networks were elicited with a multiprompt name generator to derive network size, perceived support, and frequency of diabetes-specific discussions. Poisson egressions were fitted to examine associations of demographics, T2D symptoms, and social-network factors with loneliness.

Of the participants, 45.3% reported being lonely. In the Poisson regression, older age (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.99, 95% CI, 0.98-0.99), higher household income (PR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.88-0.98), and rural residence (PR 0.75, 95% CI, 0.59-0.96) were associated with a lower likelihood of loneliness. Greater hypoglycemia symptom burden was associated with a higher likelihood of loneliness (PR 1.24, 95% CI, 1.16-1.33). Higher perceived network support was associated with a lower likelihood of loneliness (PR 0.79, 95% CI, 0.72-0.88), while network size and diabetes-specific discussions with others were not significantly associated with loneliness.

Diabetes care should routinely screen for loneliness, prioritize younger and lower income patients, and actively reduce hypoglycemia. Efforts to strengthen social support should emphasize strategies such as culturally responsive coaching to mobilize existing ties, warm handoffs to peer mentors, and community partnerships.