Open AccessActivating Communal Coping Related to Diabetes Risk in Mexican-Heritage Families
Author(s) -
Jielu Lin,
Melanie F. Myers,
Anna V. Wilkinson,
Laura M. Koehly
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
family and community health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.464
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1550-5057
pISSN - 0160-6379
DOI - 10.1097/fch.0000000000000234
Subject(s) - interpersonal communication , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , psychology , coping (psychology) , gerontology , social psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry
We investigate how interpersonal ties influence communication about type 2 diabetes risk and encouragement to maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle between family members of Mexican heritage, after a family history-based risk assessment intervention. Results suggest that individuals are more likely to initiate risk communication with another family member if they are close to, already seek advice from, or discuss health with him or her. Risk communication precedes encouragement, which is initiated by the older generation of the family. Understanding the role of interpersonal relationships in Mexican-heritage families can help identify who best to target in future health behavior interventions.