Social networks as facilitators and barriers to behavior change among U.S. South Asian adult participants of a culturally adapted, group lifestyle intervention.
Emily L Lam, Nilay S Shah, Namratha R Kandula
PMID 39293322WHAT IT FOUND
South Asian adults in a lifestyle program said family and group peers helped them eat better and be active, but caregiving duties, language barriers, and community norms could block change.
Clinicians can ask which network members support or resist changes.
Key findings
01Participants shared healthy diet advice with family members. Family members also supported participants’ changes through companionship.
02Other program members became a new source of support. They provided physical activity companionship and practical ideas for healthier South Asian recipes.
03Some women, especially those with limited English proficiency, reported family caregiving duties as a barrier to attending or focusing on their own health.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 24 participants from the intervention arm were interviewed, so these themes may not represent all South Asian adults or all people in the program. The interviews were mainly about how the lifestyle program was delivered, not an in-depth study of social networks. The study did not test whether social support changed behavior or health outcomes. Theme strength was based on how many interviews contained a theme, and only the most common themes were presented.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that involving family or group members improved health behaviors or made the program work. The study interviewed 24 participants about their experiences and did not test behavior change outcomes.