ABSTRACT
With increasing prevalence in Belize, Central America, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious chronic illness and leading cause of preventable death. Spiritual and religious practices, such as regular prayer, scripture reading, or communal worship, have been shown to improve patient emotional adjustments to diagnosis, psychological endurance with chronic illness, and improved mental health (including reduced depression and anxiety), glycemic control, and quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this Grounded Theory study was to better understand how spiritual practices of people living with T2DM affects disease management and mental wellness in Belize. Semi-structured interviews with diabetes patients (n=11), discussions with key informants (n=20), participatory observation, and regular field notes occurred between February and March of 2020. Findings indicate that many Belizeans with T2DM engage in diverse spiritual and religious practices (e.g., fasting, observing Lent, prayer, referring to sacred texts, meditation) to support and build psychological determination and commitment to healthy lifestyle choices for T2DM self-management and provide relief for both inner psychological tensions and external stressors which could otherwise exacerbate the condition. This research proposes suggestions for health care providers (HCPs) in Belize in order to optimize diabetes care through collaboration with patients’ spiritual frameworks and faith-based organizations. Similarly, T2DM prevention and education can likely be better facilitated by interdisciplinary efforts that take into consideration faith-based and spiritual perspectives.
