Enacting communication cycles after prediabetes: Mothers’ stories of diabetes risk and seeking support

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a family systems experience of multiple intergenerational relationships. Communicating about diabetes as a familial risk helps individuals perceive greater control over preventing diabetes. Aim: The present study investigates how mothers disclose their prediabetes to their family and the precipitating family communication, with the goal to interrupt the multigenerational legacy of diabetes. Method: Data were collected from a Family Medicine outpatient clinic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to illicit information about mother-child communication about diabetes. Sort and Sift, Think and Shift analysis provided rich descriptions of mothers’ experiences. Results: The sample consisted of 9 women with prediabetes, aged 42-70, who had at least one child. Eight participants described at least 2 generations of family members with a diabetes-related diagnosis (prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and gestational diabetes). First, we present two contextual factors that preexisted the prediabetes diagnosis, which influenced the disclosure decision: general health communication approach and personal evaluation of diabetes. Second, we present the communication cycles that supported self-management. Discussion: Continual communication cycles with family and clinicians can support mothers with prediabetes to enact self-management behaviors and delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Mothers need family members to respond favorably to complete a positive communication cycle that can generate continuous emotional, social, and instrumental support.