Parents matter: intergenerational influences of diabetes mellitus on glycemic control and morbidity in older type 2 diabetic males.

In a cross-sectional study, the effects of disease duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were examined along with parent history of DM on disease-related outcome variables. Specifically, the moderating role of parent history of DM on outcome variables was examined. Participants were 53 male veterans with DM. Chart reviews and self-reports were examined. Results showed that in those with a positive parent history of DM, hopelessness increased with diabetes duration. In the negative parent history group, glycemic control worsened with disease duration. These findings suggest parent history of DM should be considered in designing interventions to facilitate coping with type 2 diabetes.