Exploring Factors Impacting Hispanic/Latinx Individuals' Response to a Type 2 Diabetes Digital Storytelling Intervention
PLOS One Jun 2025
RHCP developed a culturally tailored digital storytelling intervention called Stories for Change (S4C) to support Hispanic/Latinx adults with type 2 diabetes. The intervention featured short, Spanish-language videos created by individuals with lived experience managing diabetes. These stories aimed to inspire viewers to adopt healthier behaviors. In a randomized trial involving 227 participants, researchers found that those who had been diagnosed with diabetes for less than five years or who showed increased confidence in managing their condition were more likely to experience a meaningful drop in blood sugar levels after three months.
The analysis revealed that self-efficacy—confidence in one’s ability to manage diabetes—played a key role in how participants responded to the intervention. Surprisingly, factors like education level and emotional connection to the stories did not significantly influence outcomes. These findings suggest that S4C may be especially effective for newly diagnosed individuals and those with lower initial self-efficacy. Because the intervention is low-cost, portable, and easy to integrate into existing care, it holds promise for reducing health disparities in diabetes management among Hispanic/Latinx communities. Future efforts could focus on adapting the approach for those with longer disease duration and exploring ways to boost self-efficacy.