Perceptions of diabetes symptoms and self-management strategies: a cross-cultural comparison.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to compare and contrast perceived symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus and self management strategies between Russian-speaking Slavic immigrant American women and non-Hispanic, nonimmigrant White American women.

Methods: The qualitative–descriptive study design was conducted with a convenience sample of Slavic immigrant women 50 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes (n = 10), and non-Hispanic, nonimmigrant White American women 50 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes (n = 10).

Results: Slavic immigrants reported more global holistic symptoms of diabetes, whereas nonimmigrants reported more specific physiological somatic symptoms.