Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between religiosity, social support, diabetes care and control and self-rated health of people living in Mexico who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Structural equation modeling was used to examine these associations using the Mexican Health and Aging Study, a national representative survey of older Mexicans. Findings indicate that emotional support from one’s spouse/partner directly affects diabetes care and control and health. Although there is no direct relationship between religiosity and health, religiosity was positively associated with diabetes care and control, but not significantly related to health.
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Acknowledgments
I want to thank Drs. Suzanne Kunkel, Scott Brown, Robert Applebaum, Jennifer Bulanda, John Bailer and the anonymous reviewer for their valuable feedback on this project. This project was supported by Grant Number T32HS000011 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and The New York Community Trust, Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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Appendix
Appendix
Exhibit 1
About your spouse…
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1.
How much does your spouse understand your feelings about things? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
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2.
How much can you confide in him/her if you have a serious problem? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
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3.
How much does your spouse listen if you need to talk about your worries? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
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4.
How often does he/she disappoint you when you are counting him/her? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
About your children…
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1.
How much do they understand your feelings about things? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
2.
How much can you confide in them if you have a serious problem? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
3.
How much do they listen if you need to talk about your worries? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
4.
How often do they disappoint you when you are counting on them? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
About your friends, acquaintances, or companions at work
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1.
How much do they understand your feelings about things? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
2.
How much can you confide in them if you have a serious problem? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
3.
How much do they listen if you need to talk about your worries? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
-
4.
How often do they disappoint you when you are counting on them? Would you say…a lot, little, or not at all
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Rivera-Hernandez, M. Religiosity, Social Support and Care Associated with Health in Older Mexicans with Diabetes. J Relig Health 55, 1394–1410 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0105-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0105-7