Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the socio-cultural influences and social context associated with living with type 2 diabetes among rural, migrant Latino adults.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using grounded theory techniques was conducted. In-depth semi-structured interviews were completed with ten participants (6 female and 4 male) ranging in age from 46-65 years and duration of diabetes diagnosis ranging from 1.5- 40 years.

Results: An over-arching meta-theme Self Management in a Social Environment emerged. Every aspect of the process of self-management, as described in the four major themes, (1) Family Cohesion, (2) Social Stigma of Disease, (3) Social Expectations/ Perception of “Illness,” and (4) Disease Knowledge and Understanding, was influenced by the social context.