Florence Okoro: Gender Differences in Peer Support in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: An International Qualitative Study conducted through Interview and Written Responses to Open Ended Interview Questions (Under the direction of Dr. Debra Barksdale) Peer support in the context of diabetes self-management occurs when people with similar disease experiences provide assistance for daily disease management, social and emotional support, linkage to clinic care and community resources, and ongoing support to other people who are struggling with their own disease self-management. Therefore, because people with similar life experiences can better support each other, issues like gender differences play a role in peer support. No studies have explored the gender differences and gender issues in peer support with a view to consider such when designing and implementing a peer support program for Type 2 diabetes self-management. This study explored the gender differences in support provision that occurred in peer support programs and aimed to identify gender related issues and their cultural contexts. The research investigated: a) what are the gender differences in the response and participation in peer support activities b) how does the peer support provided by male and female relate to the four key functions of peer support, and c) what variations are there in the socio-cultural context of peer support provided by male and female. Data collection method was open-ended structured interview questions by telephone and written responses to the interview questions. Data analysis was done using deductive content analysis technique and included coding, comparison of data, construction of tables and in-depth exploration of categories. Findings included that males dominated as peer supporters in peer support programs in Cambodia and Hong Kong and females dominated in African American and Latino peer support programs. Females seek, receive, and give emotional and social support more than males. Males and females give and seek support for assistance with daily disease management equally. When viewed separately, males give support for assistance with daily disease management first, followed by linkage to clinic care/community resources and ongoing support in that order. This study revealed that gender related issues occurred in all the peer support programs studied and highlighted the contextual cultural issues. This study explains the gender differences and gender related issues in peer support in Type 2 diabetes self-management and provides evidence to support program planning of peer support programs.