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Abstract #155420

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Emily Joy Nicklett, MSW, Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, SPHII, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-2029, 9173994092, enicklet@umich.edu and Jersey Liang, PhD, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, SPHII, 109 S. Observatory St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103-2029.

Objective: Using diabetes mellitus as a case study, I examined the correlates of social support and health among the chronically ill, with regimen adherence at its center. The primary hypothesis is that social support is negatively associated with health status decline, controlling for regimen adherence and health status. The secondary hypothesis is that social support is positively associated with adherence to regimen components. Design and Data: First, support for regimen components are tested for influence on health decline, controlling for adherence and health status. The primary independent variables are social support and regimen adherence pertaining to six diabetes regimen components. Second, I regressed social support on its corresponding attribute of adherence, including controls. Data were analyzed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2002 and 2004 waves and the 2003 Diabetes Supplement. Conclusions: Social support appears to be protective for some regimen components (checking feet for wounds or sores), but a susceptibility factor for others (exercising). Surprisingly, the social relationship variables (marital status and informal care) were positively associated with health decline, although the relationship is not significant. Race/ethnicity and gender were also not statistically significant. Social support is, however, highly associated with adherence for each regimen attribute, controlling for other factors. Implications: We gather that social support is particularly protective for less vulnerable populations. Subsequent analyses—qualitative and quantitative—should address how support influences health trajectories and disease pathways for more vulnerable populations. Such research can shed light on potential protective factors of social support for individuals and communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Disentagle the role of regimen adherence as a mediator in the relationship between social support and health outcomes among chronically ill populations.
• Recognize the influence of social support on health change, assessing its effect on 5 diabetes regimen components the corresponding extent of adherence.
• Evaluate the independent roles of competing mechanisms by which social support influences health change among chronically ill persons.

Keywords: Chronic Illness, Treatment Adherence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording