Discrimination is associated with adverse health outcomes, but few studies have examined the association of discrimination with diabetes-related outcomes including mental health and glycemic control, particularly for immigrant and US-born Latinos. We analyzed survey data (n = 222) collected at baseline of a diabetes intervention. Using multiple linear regression, we examined the association of racial/ethnic discrimination with depressive symptoms, diabetes-related distress, and HbA1c, and variation in these associations by nativity and, for immigrants, length of US residence. Racial/ethnic discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms (b = 2.57, SE = 0.45, p < 0.01) and diabetes-related distress (b = 0.30, SE = 0.09, p < 0.01). We could not reject the null hypothesis of no cross-sectional association of racial/ethnic discrimination with HbA1c (b = - 0.27, SE = 0.18, p = 0.14). Although racial/ethnic discrimination did not directly affect HbA1c, racial/ethnic discrimination had a significant mediating effect on HbA1c through diabetes-related distress (p = 0.02). Results suggest that racial/ethnic discrimination is detrimental for health for Latinos with diabetes.
Keywords: Depressive symptoms; Diabetes; Diabetes-related distress; Discrimination; Hispanics; Latinos; Unfair treatment.