The Prevalence and Correlates of Mental and Emotional Health Among American Indian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of mental and emotional health factors among a sample of American Indian (Indigenous) adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Methods Data are from a community-based participatory research project involving two Indigenous reservation communities. Data were collected from 218 Indigenous adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes via in-person paper-and-pencil survey interviews. Results Reports of greater numbers of mental/emotional health problems were associated with increases in self-reported hyperglycemia, comorbid health problems, and health-impaired physical activities. Conclusions This study addresses a gap in the literature by demonstrating the associations between various mental/emotional health factors and diabetes-related health problems for Indigenous Americans. Findings underscore the importance of holistic, integrated primary care models for more effective diabetes care.

Rates and consequences of posttraumatic distress among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes

“…Depression in particular has been shown to have a relationship with diabetes control and diabetes-related outcomes (de Groot, Anderson, Freedland, Clouse, & Lustman, 2001; Ciechanowski, Katon, & Russo, 2000; Egede, Zheng, & Simpson, 2002; Egede, 2004; Egede, Nietert, & Zheng, 2005; Egede, 2007). This relationship has also been shown among AIs with diabetes (Singh et al, 2004; Sahota, Knowler, & Looker, 2008; Walls, Aronson, Soper, & Johnson-Jennings, 2014; Knaster, Fretts, & Phillips, 2015). …”

“…Others have argued for a more complete and holistic view of mental health to understand the common, unique, and potentially additive impact on health (Prisciandaro et al, 2011; Walls et al, 2014). In the National Comorbidity Survey, 88% of males and 79% of females with PTSD had another psychiatric disorder (Kessler et al, 1995).…”

Association of depressive symptomology and psychological trauma with diabetes control among older American Indian women: Does social support matter?

“…Specifically, a few of these studies have not found a significant association between emotional well-being, depression, and psychological trauma symptoms with higher HbA1c values (Jacob et al, 2013; Johnson, Nowatzki, & Coons, 1996; Knaster, Fretts, & Phillips, 2015). Yet, other studies have observed a significant association between depression, anxiety, and psychological distress with higher HbA1c values (Calhoun et al, 2010; Huyser et al, 2015; Sahota, Knowler, & Looker, 2008; Singh et al, 2004; Walls, Aronson, Soper, & Johnson-Jennings, 2014). …”

Language as a Facilitator of Cultural Connection

“…The data for this paper are from the larger community-based participatory research study Mino Giizhigad (Ojibwe for “A Good Day”) that examined how mental health factors relate to diabetes treatment and outcomes for American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes (Walls et al 2014). The Mino Giizhigad study included participants from two Ojibwe communities— the Lac Courte Oreilles and Bois Forte Bands of Chippewa.…”

“…Participants were given $30 and a pound of local wild rice for their time and effort. Further procedural details are provided in Walls and colleagues (2014).…”