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Implications on self-care behaviors among older Korean immigrants diagnosed with diabetes residing in the United States: a path analytical approach

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease. Although self-care is the crucial element in managing diabetes, older Korean immigrants with diabetes face challenges in performing effective self-care related to vulnerability as minority immigrants.

Purpose

This study measures sociodemographics, self-efficacy, social support, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care activities among older Korean immigrants in the United States. This study also aims to demonstrate the direct and indirect effects of the related factors on diabetes self-care activities using a path analysis.

Methods

This study uses a cross-sectional design. Convenience sampling targeted Korean immigrants aged 55 or older using paper and online surveys. Four instruments were used to measure variables: self-efficacy was measured by the General Self-Efficacy scale, diabetes knowledge by the Simplified Diabetes Knowledge Test, social support by the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and diabetes self-care by the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire. Using path analysis, the effects of related factors on self-care activities were analyzed.

Results

190 older Korean immigrants participated, 53.2% female, and 46.8% male. The mean age was 67.2 (SD = 9.9; range, 58–93). A path model shows that sociodemographics (sex, age, education, and years in the United States), diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and family support predict diabetes self-care.

Conclusions

The path model demonstrates the effects of sociodemographics, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, and social support on diabetes self-care among older Korean immigrants. The findings can help to understand diabetes self-care among the minority ethnic older group and can be used to develop culturally tailored education, counseling, and healthcare services.

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Acknowledgements

The content is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official position of any other entity. There are no conflicts of interest to report by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States

    Jung Eun Kim

  2. School of Education, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA, United States

    Ying Hong Jiang

  3. School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA, United States

    Vivien Dee

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Contributions

Conceptualization or/and Methodology: Kim, JE/ Jiang, YH/ Dee, V. Data curation or/and Analysis: Kim, JE/ Jiang, YH. Funding acquisition: None. Investigation: Kim, JE. Project administration or/and Supervision: Kim, JE/ Dee, V. Resources or/and Software: Kim, JE. Validation: Kim, JE/ Jiang, YH. Visualization: Kim, JE. Writing: original draft or/and review & editing: Kim, JE/ Jiang, YH/ Dee, V.

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Correspondence to Jung Eun Kim.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants complied with ethical requirements. The research was approved by the authors’ University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). All participants were informed of the purpose, risks, benefits, and rights to confidentiality and withdrawal from the study. All participants in this study provided their consent after being fully informed.

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Kim, J.E., Jiang, Y. & Dee, V. Implications on self-care behaviors among older Korean immigrants diagnosed with diabetes residing in the United States: a path analytical approach. J Diabetes Metab Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-023-01363-6

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