567-P: The Role of Family History In Self-Management of T2D: A Qualitative Examination

Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at a younger age are at increased risk for poor outcomes. We examined how family history of diabetes shaped the experiences and self-management perspectives of younger-onset individuals newly diagnosed with T2D. We conducted six focus groups between Nov 2017 and May 2018. Participants (n=41) were members of an integrated healthcare delivery system, had been diagnosed with T2D during the prior two years, and were 21-44 years old at the time of diagnosis. Each group met twice for 60-90 minutes, two weeks apart. Groups were led by an experienced facilitator, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two reviewers using thematic analysis. The average age of participants was 38.4 years (±5.8 years); 20 were women, 10 self-identified as Latinx, 12 as Black, 12 as White and 7 as multiple or other races. Over 65% had a family history of T2D. Having a family member with T2D facilitated self-management in several ways. First, personal familiarity with T2D and related lifestyle changes, as well as advice from older relatives, led individuals to feel that they were capable of modifying behaviors and made adjusting to the diagnosis easier. In addition, family members with T2D served as both positive and negative role models that motivated individuals to adapt relatives’ health-promoting behaviors and take steps to avoid adverse outcomes. Conversely, for some, the perception that T2D diagnosis was inevitable was a barrier to initial self-care. Perceived lack of control over developing T2D due to family history of the disease led to feelings of self-blame and futility regarding self-management efforts. Our results highlight the importance of recognizing how familial experiences impact patients’ ability to navigate a new T2D diagnosis. Proactively addressing perceived barriers to and facilitators of self-management in the context of family T2D history may aid in efforts to educate and support high-risk, younger patients establish a trajectory towards improved health. Disclosure M. A. Blatchins: None. K. Xu: None. A. Altschuler: None. R. W. Grant: None. A. Gopalan: None. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K23DK116968); Kaiser Permanente Northern California