Relationship of Marianismo Beliefs With the Self-Care Behaviors of Mexican Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Mexican women have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and less compliance with T2DM self-care compared with Mexican men. The term marianismo refers to gender and religiocultural based beliefs that may be a barrier to self-care behaviors among Mexican women. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between marianismo beliefs and self-care behaviors in Mexican women with T2DM. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among women with T2DM who attended primary care centers in Oaxaca, Mexico during 2019. The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities and the Marianismo Beliefs Scale were used to measure diabetes self-care and marianismo beliefs, respectively. Results: Among the 547 participants, those with higher marianismo beliefs reported significantly lower scores in diabetes self-care, ( r = −.128), exercise ( r = −.150), self-monitoring of blood glucose ( r = −.119), foot care ( r = −.093), and oral hygiene ( r = −.114; all p < .01). Discussion: Findings suggest that Mexican women with strong marianismo beliefs are less likely to comply with T2DM self-care behaviors. Marianismo beliefs should be considered a potential risk factor for women’s health, since Mexican women may value the social recognition of maintaining these beliefs more than self-care.