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Learning Objective 1: Conceptualize the influence of social environmental factors on diabetes control and prevention.
Learning Objective 2: Identify methods for integrating assessment of the social environment into traditional assessment strategies in diabetes care, education, and health promotion.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore social environmental factors among individuals with or at risk for type 2 diabetes, following completion of an 8-week yoga-based study.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design included a sample of 63 individuals who completed follow-up assessment at 15 months post-intervention. Operationalization of the social environment included social support as a social buffer and discrimination as a social stressor.
Results: Experiences of social discrimination were common in this sample; 82.5% reported that they had experienced at least one type of discrimination, and 14.3% reported frequent experiences of discrimination. Participants most frequently attributed perceived discrimination to age and income/education level. Individuals with higher levels of social support reported fewer experiences of social discrimination (t = 2.597, p = .013).
Conclusions: In this sample, the majority of participants experienced at least one form of social discrimination, and some expressed a high frequency of discrimination. When considering the population at risk, individuals with diabetes and prediabetes, it is important for clinicians to assess the social environment, making note of the potential influences of social stressors such as discrimination, as well as the presence and effectiveness of social buffers, including social support. Continued exploration of the role of the social environment will inform the design and implementation of health promotion interventions in the control and prevention of diabetes.
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