“Patchworking” Social Support Among Vietnamese Americans for Chronic Disease Management
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Health Promotion and Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, USA
- 2R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
- 3Caring Health Center, Springfield, USA
- 4Southwest Institute for Research on Women, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
- 5Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, USA
Abstract
Vietnamese Americans commonly experience a variety of chronic medical conditions. Social support can play a salient role in chronic disease management, but little is known about these dynamics among Vietnamese Americans. A mixed-methods study aimed to understand medication adherence, health literacy, and cultural beliefs among Vietnamese American patients at a Massachusetts federally qualified health center. One hundred participants completed self-report surveys and pill counts, for which frequencies and descriptive analyses were conducted. A linear regression analysis was performed between social support and medication adherence. A sub-sample of participants completed in-depth interviews, chronic disease diaries, and home observations. All qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. No statistically significant association was found between social support and medication adherence. Qualitative findings highlighted substantial social support related to chronic disease management. Participants received instrumental support from their adult children, home health aides, and community organizations. Friends were a key source of affective and confidant support. Community organizations addressed instrumental needs, while also facilitating affective and confidant support among participants and their friends. While the quantitative data concluded that participants had low satisfaction with social support and that social support had no significant impact on medication adherence, the qualitative data revealed an extensive relationship between social support and the broader scope of chronic disease management. When possible, providers should engage patients’ adult children, home health aides, and community organizations as important members of their social support networks.
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BibTeX
@article{phuntsog2026patchworking,
title = {{“Patchworking” Social Support Among Vietnamese Americans for Chronic Disease Management}},
author = {Thupten D. Phuntsog and Jeannie K. Lee and Cristina I. Huebner Torres and Josephine D. Korchmaros and Kathryn P. Derose and Felicity Aulino and Susan J. Shaw},
journal = {Journal of immigrant and minority health},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1007/s10903-026-01998-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-026-01998-6},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “Patchworking” Social Support Among Vietnamese Americans for Chronic Disease Management
AU - Thupten D. Phuntsog
AU - Jeannie K. Lee
AU - Cristina I. Huebner Torres
AU - Josephine D. Korchmaros
AU - Kathryn P. Derose
AU - Felicity Aulino
AU - Susan J. Shaw
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/10
JO - Journal of immigrant and minority health
DO - 10.1007/s10903-026-01998-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-026-01998-6
AB - Vietnamese Americans commonly experience a variety of chronic medical conditions. Social support can play a salient role in chronic disease management, but little is known about these dynamics among Vietnamese Americans. A mixed-methods study aimed to understand medication adherence, health literacy, and cultural beliefs among Vietnamese American patients at a Massachusetts federally qualified health center. One hundred participants completed self-report surveys and pill counts, for which frequencies and descriptive analyses were conducted. A linear regression analysis was performed between social support and medication adherence. A sub-sample of participants completed in-depth interviews, chronic disease diaries, and home observations. All qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. No statistically significant association was found between social support and medication adherence. Qualitative findings highlighted substantial social support related to chronic disease management. Participants received instrumental support from their adult children, home health aides, and community organizations. Friends were a key source of affective and confidant support. Community organizations addressed instrumental needs, while also facilitating affective and confidant support among participants and their friends. While the quantitative data concluded that participants had low satisfaction with social support and that social support had no significant impact on medication adherence, the qualitative data revealed an extensive relationship between social support and the broader scope of chronic disease management. When possible, providers should engage patients’ adult children, home health aides, and community organizations as important members of their social support networks.
SN - 1557-1912
SN - 1557-1920
ER -