The Secret-Self Management Loop: A grounded theory of provider mistrust among older Latinas with type 2 diabetes and mental health symptoms

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine how older Latina women emotionally experience type 2 diabetes mellitus and interactions with care providers using a grounded theory approach.

Methods: Sixteen English-speaking, Latina women, 60 years and older, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety participated in 21 phone interviews guided by a semi-structured interview guide. Data was collected and analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology; theoretical sampling was used to achieve data saturation.

Results: Participant data informed the creation of a theory, The Secret Self-Management Loop, with four interconnected phases: 1) having a negative relationship origin story; 2) doubting provider motivation; 3) reacting to doubts about provider; and 4) engaging in secret self-management. These phases reflected participants' lost trust in their providers and the medical system, resulting in undisclosed self-management strategies that complicated clinical management of their type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Primary sources of loss of trust were interactions that lacked empathy or caused them to question their providers' motivation.

Conclusion: The Secret Self-Management Loop negatively influences patient disclosure and distorts providers' ability to adequately render care for this group.