Associations Between Economic Pressure and Diabetes Efficacy in Couples With Type 2 Diabetes

Exploring typologies of appraisals, involvement, and distress in type 2 diabetes family members

The present study conducted a latent profile analysis from a US national sample of 446 family members to identify and predict unique clusters of family members' PWD illness appraisals, involvement, and psychological distress. Time since diagnosis, diabetes adherence, the relationship with the PWD, age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and economic pressure were included as predictors. Class membership was used to predict the family members' own health behaviors (sleep quality, days of physical activity, and diet quality). Results revealed four distinct classes: Moderately Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (32.51%), Least Concerned, Distressed, and Involved (27.13%), Less Concerned and Distressed, Moderately Involved (23.77%), and Most Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (16.82%). The significant predictors and outcomes of class membership revealed interesting patterns in associations with class membership. Consequently, in addition to involving family members, health promotion and intervention efforts must consider the psychological health and illness appraisals of family members rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

A Case Study of Health-Related Support Processes in 2 Happy, Gay Couples

The purpose of this case study was to explore 2, early-relationship, same-sex couples on the strategies used to support their partner's engagement in health promoting behaviors. A semistructured interview protocol was used to conduct 120-minute interviews with each couple and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Five organizing categories emerged during the analysis, resulting in a conceptual process model of health-related support in same-sex relationships. These categories, provided a snapshot of how processes interact with each other; they were context, relationship dynamics, health support processes, couple adaptation, and balancing physical/relational health. Couples described the balancing of relational and physical health as an ongoing, important theme in the success of health support. Implications for both health prevention and intervention are discussed.