ABSTRACT
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is 19.7% in Haiti (DeGennaro et al., 2018). Haitian American women (HAW) experience difficulties with adherence to T2DM treatment and management (Bivins, 2016; Magny-Normilus et al., 2019; Vimalananda et al., 2011; Huffman et al., 2013); however, no previous study was found that focused exclusively on Haitian American women with T2DM. Van Manen's six research activities guided this phenomenological qualitative inquiry. Recruitment included 25 Haitian American women (N = 25) with T2DM from three South Florida counties. Data were collected using a vignette and audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Recordings were then transcribed and analyzed to identify thematic concepts and patterns. Themes of spiritualizing and shifting cultural norms with the subtheme of dietary restrictions were found. In conclusion, to promote health outcomes nurses must incorporate these salient factors in the care of Haitian American women with T2DM.