Social orientation and diabetes-related distress in Japanese and American patients with type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Recent evidence in cultural and social psychology suggests Eastern cultures' emphasis on harmony and connection with others and Western cultures' emphasis on self-direction and autonomy. In Eastern society, relational harmony is closely linked to people's well-being. The impact of this cultural and social orientation on diabetes-related distress was investigated.

Research design and methods

Japanese and American patients with type 2 diabetes were surveyed by well-established questionnaire in Japan and in the United States, respectively. The association of personal values for interdependence, perceived emotional support, and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (PAID) were analyzed.

Results

A positive correlation between interdependence and PAID (r = 0.18; P =

SUBMITTER: Ikeda K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4198084 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature