Abstract
Background
Self-Rated Health (SRH) is a valid proxy for individuals’ overall well-being and mortality risk. This study examined contributions of diabetes distress (stress from diabetes self-management) and depressive symptoms to SRH among Chinese Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Methods
For this cross-sectional study, a survey measuring diabetes distress, depressive symptoms, physical health, and demographics was administered to a convenience sample of 151 foreign-born community-dwelling Chinese Americans with T2DM.
Results
Fifty-five percent of participants rated their health as good or very good. With demographic and physical health variables controlled, hierarchical logistic regression showed that people who reported more diabetes distress (OR = 2.88, p < 0.05) or depressive symptoms (OR = 3.54, p < 0.05) were more likely to have poor SRH. Acculturation (OR = 0.88, p < 0.001) was protective for SRH.
Conclusions
Diabetes distress and depressive symptoms are significantly associated with poor SRH and should be managed in Chinese Americans with T2DM.