Award Date

1-1-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Committee Member

Daniel Benyshek

Number of Pages

89

Abstract

This thesis explores the association between susto, a Hispanic folk explanation of disease, and type 2 diabetes. This association is explored through a focus group and semi-structured interviews, with participants recruited from a population of 300 diabetes patients under treatment by a local non-profit group. Results show that not only is susto thought to be an important cause of diabetes among Hispanic diabetics and their family members, but that the meaning of susto may be changing; no longer thought of as solely a frightful event, it is a description of the resulting emotions as well. The role of emotions such as anger, sadness and stress in the etiology of diabetes is also explored. Implications of these results for health care providers working in Hispanic communities are discussed.

Keywords

Diabetes; Etiological; Hispanic; Nevada; Role; Southern; Susto

Controlled Subject

Ethnology; Hispanic Americans--Study

File Format

pdf

File Size

2273.28 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

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