Social Capital as a Behavioral Mechanism in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Among Black/African American Men

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects Black/African American men, yet little research examines how social relationships support chronic illness management in this population. Drawing upon Social Capital Theory, this qualitative study analyzed in-depth interviews with a sample of 58 Black/African American men living with T2D to examine how resources embedded in social networks shape self-management practices. Findings show that social capital operates through bonding ties (family and faith communities), bridging ties (peer groups and healthcare professionals), network resources (institutional navigation and health information), and trust and reciprocity. Participants described supportive relationships that fostered accountability and care, alongside constrained trust and strategic self-reliance in contexts of structural disadvantage. These findings extend Social Capital Theory by demonstrating how race, masculinity, and institutional instability condition the availability and activation of social capital for chronic illness management.