“It's very difficult to find a person who listens to you.” Mental Health Concerns and Social Isolation in Low-Income Latinos with Diabetes

Background/Purpose:  Latino immigrants in the United States are disproportionately impacted by diabetes. Examining how mental health affects diabetes self-management in this population can have implications to reduce health disparities. We sought to describe the mental health concerns among a sample of Latinos with diabetes.  

Methods/Approach:  In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 Latino adults with type 2 diabetes as part of a church-based, randomized controlled trial for diabetes self-management in a low-income, predominantly Mexican American neighborhood of Chicago. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated by bilingual staff. Transcripts were then coded using grounded theory methods and overarching themes were identified.

Findings: The sample included 5 males and 22 females, the mean age was 57 ± 11 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 8.8 ± 7.5 years. Twenty-three of 27 respondents mentioned mental health concerns during their interviews. Some participants reported that stress, anxiety, low mood, and alcoholism impeded functioning. Eight respondents reported feeling that there was no one who would listen to, understand, or help them, and described social, geographic, or self-isolation from their support networks or family.

Implications: Latino adults with diabetes mentioned multiple mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety, and low mood. Social isolation emerged as a prevalent theme and could have implications for the treatment of patients. Interventions to reduce health disparities in Latinos with diabetes may need to focus on building support networks for patients who are experiencing isolation.