Well-being outcomes of a family-focused intervention for persons with type 2 diabetes and support persons: Main, mediated, and subgroup effects from the FAMS 2.0 RCT

AIMS. Type 2 diabetes self-management occurs within social contexts. We sought to test the effects of Family/friends Activation to Motivate Self-care (FAMS), a self-care support intervention delivered via mobile phones, on psychosocial outcomes for persons with diabetes (PWDs) and their support persons. METHODS. PWDs had the option to enroll with a friend/family member as a support person in a 15-month RCT to evaluate FAMS versus enhanced usual care. FAMS included 9-months of monthly phone coaching and text message support for PWDs, and text message support for enrolled support persons. RESULTS. PWDs (N=329) were 52% male and 39% from minoritized racial or ethnic groups; 50% enrolled with elevated diabetes distress. Support persons (N=294) were 26% male and 33% minoritized racial or ethnic groups. FAMS improved PWDs’ diabetes distress (d=−0.19) and global well-being (d=0.21) during the intervention, with patterns of larger effects among minoritized groups. Post-intervention and sustained (15-month) improvements were driven by changes in PWDs’ self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, and autonomy support. Among support persons, FAMS improved helpful involvement without increasing burden or harmful involvement. CONCLUSIONS. FAMS improved PWDs’ psychosocial well-being, with post-intervention and sustained improvements driven by improved self-efficacy, self-care, and autonomy support. Support persons increased helpful involvement without adverse effects.