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Diabetes: Christian Worldview, Medical Distrust and Self-Management

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Abstract

To inform the development of a combined diabetes prevention and self-management intervention in partnership with church communities, this study sampled African American church leaders and members (N = 44) to qualitatively study religious beliefs and practices, diabetes prevention and self-management behaviors, and related community actions. Prior to commencing the study, internal review board approval was obtained. Although not required, community consent was officially provided by the church pastors. Individual consent was subsequently obtained from eligible community members who expressed an interest in participating in the study. Following a participatory action research approach, the inquiry group method was used. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis. Findings revealed Christian worldview, medical distrust and self-management as prominent themes. Findings suggest that diabetes providers address religious orientation in the provision of care with attention to rebuilding trust with the African-American community to improve health outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by NINR F32 NR010043, NIH NYU CTSA KL2 1ULRR029893.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Kelley Newlin Lew & Paul Banach

  2. Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Nancy Arbauh

  3. School of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Gail Melkus

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  1. Kelley Newlin Lew
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  2. Nancy Arbauh
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  3. Paul Banach
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  4. Gail Melkus
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Correspondence to Kelley Newlin Lew.

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Newlin Lew, K., Arbauh, N., Banach, P. et al. Diabetes: Christian Worldview, Medical Distrust and Self-Management. J Relig Health 54, 1157–1172 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0022-9

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