Racial Differences in Parents’ Perceptions of Factors Important for Children to Live Well With Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn how to serve families with children with diabetes in a more culturally effective manner by exploring and more fully understanding differences in how white and African American families ranked factors they perceived as important to living well with diabetes.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a survey derived from qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 799 parents (84.1% white, 12.3% African American) completed the mailed survey. Respondents were asked to rate how much of a difference each of 30 survey items makes in a child and family who are living well with diabetes, which were placed in rank order by race. Items were combined into clinically relevant categories, and mean ratings for each category were calculated. Regression analyses were used to test for racial differences between items and within categories.

Results

The racial groups expressed many similar views; however, 2 major themes emerged reflecting racial differences in the prioritization of factors affecting the well-being of children with diabetes. First, African American families ascribed greater importance to social supports. Second, African Americans expressed a preference for interventions that target the whole family versus the individual child, whereas whites tended to prefer child-centered interventions.

Conclusion

There is a paucity of research on the goals and priorities of pediatric diabetes care from the perspective of parents from diverse racial backgrounds. Asking families about the type of care they prefer may help to improve the design and delivery of services in a culturally competent, effective manner.