EFFECT OF THE CONTEXT, ROUTINES AND FUNCTIONING ON THE HEALTH OF MEXICAN FAMILIES WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

Objective: To explain the effect of the context, routines and family functioning on the health of Mexican families where a member suffers from Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Cross-correlational design; after prior informed consent, recruitment and data collection were carried out between January and April 2015. The sample included 60 family dyads (n = 120), consisting of a person with 2DM and a family caregiver, between 18 and 66 years old, without gender distinction, who had lived in the same home for at least one year and attended a consultation in a health institution in Mexico during 2015. The family context was measured with a card, two scales measured routines, family functioning and health. Results: There were more women (64.2%), aged 47.5 (± 11.5), with 7.2 years (± 4.4) of schooling; patients diagnosed 11.5 years ago (± 8.4), under treatment for 9.2 years (± 8.6). Significant interrelations were found between the context variables (age, years of study, diagnosis and treatment time), routines, and functioning regarding family health (all between p?.0001 and p?.005). Functioning explained 39.1% and routines 18.8% of the family health variance (adjusted R2= .391; F (1.118) = 77.4 p? .0001; adjusted R2= .188; F (1.118) = 28.6 p?.0001). Functioning also explained the variance of routines in 19.3% (R2 = .193; F (1.118) = 28.1 p?.0001). Conclusions: Family health is significantly related to the context, routines and functioning of family dyads living with type 2 diabetes. In addition, family health is significantly influenced by routines and family functioning.