How Families Influence Self-Management Among the Role of Family to Patients With Type 2 Diabetes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.
Rongsong Tang, Xiaotian Zhang, Huixian Chen et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-synthesis examined qualitative and mixed-methods research on how families influence self-management among people with type 2 diabetes. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregative approach, the authors identified two pathways: family status, including habits, coping and finances, and family participation, including reasons for involvement, facilitators and barriers. Family relationships and finances could be reshaped by diabetes. Companionship, encouragement and healthy lifestyle behaviours supported self-management, whereas controlling behaviour, conflict and caregiving burden could hinder it. The review concludes that family influence is dual and depends on support style and family dynamics.
Key findings
- Family influence operated through family status—habits, coping and economy—and family participation, including involvement, facilitators and barriers.
- Companionship, encouragement and healthy lifestyle behaviours promoted self-management.
- Control, conflict and caregiving burden hindered self-management; diabetes also reshaped family roles, relationships and finances.
Why it matters
The synthesis highlights that family involvement is not uniformly beneficial: its effects depend on how support is offered and on family dynamics. Recognising both supportive and obstructive patterns can help frame diabetes education and caregiving discussions around communication, relationships and practical circumstances, rather than assuming that greater family involvement alone will improve self-management.