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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2011

01-02-2011 | Original Article

Gender Differences in Functional Limitations in Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes: Biobehavioral and Psychosocial Mediators

Authors: Ching-Ju Chiu, Ph.D., Linda A. Wray, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Differences in functional limitations between adults with and without diabetes are more evident in women than they are in men.

Purpose

This study aims to investigate if there are gender differences in biological, behavioral, and psychosocial variables, and how these gender-related variables explain the gender–functional limitations relationship in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We drew data on 1,619 adults with type 2 diabetes from the Health and Retirement Study and its diabetes-specific mail survey. The fit of a series of mediation models to the data was assessed by structural equation modeling.

Results

Although women had better diet and blood glucose self-monitoring behaviors than did men, they reported less favorable body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value, blood pressure, early complications, exercise behaviors, perceived control, self-efficacy, coping, depressive symptoms, and family support than did men. Psychosocial factors made an indirect contribution in the gender–functional limitations relationship by way of their strong association with biological and behavioral factors, two factors that directly and completely mediated the gender–functional limitations relationship.

Conclusions

Interventions promoting psychosocial well-being and empowering perceived diabetes control, coping, and self-efficacy in women with type 2 diabetes may help improve biological and behavioral determinants, and further, their long-term functional health.
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Metadata
Title
Gender Differences in Functional Limitations in Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes: Biobehavioral and Psychosocial Mediators
Authors
Ching-Ju Chiu, Ph.D.
Linda A. Wray, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9226-0

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