Other Titles
Cultural and Immigration-Related Factors Influencing Diabetes Distress and Mental Health Among Hispanic Adults [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Hispanic adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-occurring mental health conditions. These disparities are intensified by immigration-related stress, acculturation challenges, and minority stress, all of which contribute to heightened diabetes distress and reduced self-management capacity.
Purpose: This scoping review examined how immigration stressors, acculturation processes, and minority stress influence diabetes distress and mental health outcomes among Hispanic adults with T2DM.
Methods: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step scoping review framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (OVID), and ScienceDirect identified studies published between 2015 and 2025. Thirty-seven studies (N = 16,523 participants) met inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed through thematic synthesis.
Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) Immigration stress and cultural adaptation, including documentation concerns, family separation, and acculturation conflicts strongly associated with increased diabetes distress, depression, and poorer glycemic control; (2) Healthcare navigation and support utilization, showing that limited English proficiency, inconsistent access to culturally competent providers, and family role strain impeded diabetes care engagement; and (3) Structural barriers and discrimination, including socioeconomic adversity, anti-immigrant environments, and healthcare system mistrust, which compounded psychological distress and reduced treatment adherence.
Implications: Findings demonstrate the necessity for translational nursing leadership. Nurses can implement culturally responsive diabetes distress screening, integrate psychosocial assessment within routine care, and champion multilevel strategies that address structural inequities. This review highlights the need for integrated, culturally grounded care models to reduce disparities and improve mental health and glycemic outcomes among Hispanic adults navigating the intersecting challenges of T2DM and immigration stress.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Public and Community Health, Stress and Coping, Psychological Stress, Emigration & Immigration & Psychology, Hispanic Americans, Adults, Diabetes
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Rachell, "Immigration Stress and Inequities Driving Diabetes Distress in Hispanic Adults: A Scoping Review" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 163.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/163
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-18
Immigration Stress and Inequities Driving Diabetes Distress in Hispanic Adults: A Scoping Review
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Hispanic adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-occurring mental health conditions. These disparities are intensified by immigration-related stress, acculturation challenges, and minority stress, all of which contribute to heightened diabetes distress and reduced self-management capacity.
Purpose: This scoping review examined how immigration stressors, acculturation processes, and minority stress influence diabetes distress and mental health outcomes among Hispanic adults with T2DM.
Methods: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step scoping review framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (OVID), and ScienceDirect identified studies published between 2015 and 2025. Thirty-seven studies (N = 16,523 participants) met inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed through thematic synthesis.
Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) Immigration stress and cultural adaptation, including documentation concerns, family separation, and acculturation conflicts strongly associated with increased diabetes distress, depression, and poorer glycemic control; (2) Healthcare navigation and support utilization, showing that limited English proficiency, inconsistent access to culturally competent providers, and family role strain impeded diabetes care engagement; and (3) Structural barriers and discrimination, including socioeconomic adversity, anti-immigrant environments, and healthcare system mistrust, which compounded psychological distress and reduced treatment adherence.
Implications: Findings demonstrate the necessity for translational nursing leadership. Nurses can implement culturally responsive diabetes distress screening, integrate psychosocial assessment within routine care, and champion multilevel strategies that address structural inequities. This review highlights the need for integrated, culturally grounded care models to reduce disparities and improve mental health and glycemic outcomes among Hispanic adults navigating the intersecting challenges of T2DM and immigration stress.
Description
This scoping review synthesizes evidence showing that immigration stress, acculturation conflict, and minority stress significantly elevate diabetes distress and mental health burden among Hispanic adults with T2DM. Structural inequities and challenges in healthcare navigation further intensify these outcomes. Findings support culturally responsive, integrated nursing approaches to reduce disparities in this population.