@article {7573, title = {Gender differences in functional limitations in adults living with type 2 diabetes: biobehavioral and psychosocial mediators.}, journal = {Ann Behav Med}, volume = {41}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Feb}, pages = {71-82}, publisher = {41}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Differences in functional limitations between adults with and without diabetes are more evident in women than they are in men.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate if there are gender differences in biological, behavioral, and psychosocial variables, and how these gender-related variables explain the gender-functional limitations relationship in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: We drew data on 1,619 adults with type 2 diabetes from the Health and Retirement Study and its diabetes-specific mail survey. The fit of a series of mediation models to the data was assessed by structural equation modeling.

RESULTS: Although women had better diet and blood glucose self-monitoring behaviors than did men, they reported less favorable body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value, blood pressure, early complications, exercise behaviors, perceived control, self-efficacy, coping, depressive symptoms, and family support than did men. Psychosocial factors made an indirect contribution in the gender-functional limitations relationship by way of their strong association with biological and behavioral factors, two factors that directly and completely mediated the gender-functional limitations relationship.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions promoting psychosocial well-being and empowering perceived diabetes control, coping, and self-efficacy in women with type 2 diabetes may help improve biological and behavioral determinants, and further, their long-term functional health.

}, keywords = {Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring, Body Mass Index, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Exercise, Female, Health Behavior, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Self Report, Sex Characteristics, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1532-4796}, doi = {10.1007/s12160-010-9226-0}, author = {Chiu, Ching-Ju and Linda A. Wray} }