(P02-071-25) The Prevalence of Diabetes Distress and Associations With Psychosocial Factors Among Hispanic and Latino Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: Diabetes distress (DD) is emotional stress associated with the everyday burden of managing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Hispanic and Latino adults with T2DM face additional health disparities as compared to White non-Hispanic adults and DD may especially act as a roadblock for diabetes self-care. This cross-sectional survey assessed the prevalence of DD among a cohort of Hispanic and Latino adults ≥18 years of age with T2DM. It explored the relationships between DD levels and acculturation, social support, and coping. Knowledge gleaned from study findings will be used to identify culturally based strategies to improve diabetes management.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online survey, developed and administered using Qualtrics. The 17-item Diabetes Distress Survey (DDS) was used to measure the worry and burden of living with T2DM. Validated instruments measured social support, acculturation, and illness perception. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationships between DD, demographic characteristics, diabetes-related behaviors, acculturation, social support, and coping.

Results: Participants (n=200) were, on average, 48.8±14.4 (mean±SD) years old, born in the U.S. (83.5%), had had T2DM for 2.8±0.9 years, and reported a BMI of 32.4±9.0 kg/m². They had a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of ≥ 6.0% (80.5%), at least one other disease (55.5%), and were prescribed diabetes medications (78.8%), and/or insulin (59%). The prevalence of DD was 68%, with an average DD score of 2.7±1.1, indicating moderate distress. Regression models showed that employment significantly predicted DD, with workers exhibiting less distress (<β= -0.22; p 0.02; R²= 0.16, F(3,100)= 4.36]. Taking insulin also significantly predicted lower levels of distress [β=-0.54; p=0.03; R²= 0.24, F(12,162) = 4.37]. Higher perceived threat of T2DM significantly predicted higher DD levels [β=0.04; p= < 0.01; R² = 0.37, F(12,179) =8.67].

Conclusions: Findings provide insight into the prevalence of DD and associated factors among a Hispanic and Latino adult cohort with T2DM. This study highlights the need for stress management and coping strategies in future diabetes care plans.

Funding Sources: The NYU Steinhardt Office of Doctoral Studies and the Department of Nutrition & Food Studies