Investigating perceptions of diabetic adult patients and their networks towards social support in diabetes management in Bengaluru district India

India faces a growing diabetes crisis, with one in seven diabetic adults worldwide residing in the country. Socioeconomic disparities, particularly in rural areas, limit diagnosis and effective management, as diabetes care demands disciplined self-management and often disrupts daily life. Social support from family, peers, and communities can significantly alleviate this burden, yet little is known about how factors such as rural-urban context, gender, or belief in Ayurveda shape diabetic patients’ perceptions and reliance on support networks. This qualitative study seeks to fill that gap and support the development of culturally tailored tools to assess social support levels, ultimately informing more personalized care plans. Data will be collected through in-depth qualitative interviews with adult type 2 diabetic patients and their network members. Thematic coding will combine inductive insights with deductive themes like gender norms, holistic health beliefs, and urban-rural differences. Researcher reflexivity, debriefings, and field journals will ensure rigor and transparency. Preliminary findings will be validated through playback sessions with community stakeholders, allowing for iterative refinement. Final outputs include a peer-reviewed manuscript and academic poster to inform culturally responsive recommendations to enhance diabetes care in India and enable cross-cultural comparisons with patients in the U.S.