Arias, Nurianne

Position / Title

Lecturer & PhD Candidate

Department

Organization, Governance and Management (Faculty of Arts and Science)

Email Address

nurianne.arias@ua.aw

ORCID

0009-0009-5855-7534

Fields of Specialization

Public Administration
Health Care

Last updated November 25, 2025

Biography

Nurianne Arias is a lecturer in the Organization, Governance and Management program at the University of Aruba. She holds the teaching certifications of Certificate Hospitality Education from the American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute (CHE). Nurianne achieved her Bachelor's degree in Organization, Governance and Management and continued her Master's studies in the Netherlands. She studied Public Administration (specialization Health Care). The Master's program in Public Administration at Twente prepared her in the field of public administration for an (inter) national career in public and private organizations. Her biggest interest lies in (mental) health and well-being which she aims to contribute to as a researcher. Her previous academic research includes qualitative research on diabetes management in Aruba (Bachelor thesis), discourse analysis for diabetes in the Caribbean region (Master thesis), pilot effectivity study for PRISMA Diabetes Aruba, commissioned by Fundacion Diabetes Aruba, and COVID CAS (Curacao, Aruba & Sint Maarten). Nurianne’s lifelong passion for social projects and community work has shaped the purpose behind her Ph.D. research. With a special interest in children and their development, she has dedicated her academic journey to advocating for health, with a focus on hidden disabilities. Her research explores how communities of experience and support systems can improve health outcomes for individuals with hidden conditions, such as diabetes, in Aruba.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10

Open Access
Ta hopi lamentable cu edad di personanan cu ta biba cu Diabetes cada bez ta baha/ Fundacion FDA ta educa y motiva tur hende pa check nan salus prome cu tur cos
(Diario, 2025-11-15) Arias, Nurianne
https://web.archive.org/save/https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/ta-hopi-lamentable-cu-edad-di-personanan-cu-ta-biba-cu-diabetes-cada-bez-ta-baha https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/ta-hopi-lamentable-cu-edad-di-personanan-cu-ta-biba-cu-diabetes-cada-bez-ta-baha
Open Access
UARC Dialogue Session: Proposal Panic!
(University of Aruba, Research Center, 2025-09-16) Arias, Nurianne; Deogratias, Benedicta; López Márquez, Violeta; Mijts, Eric; Plomp, Esther; Proveyer, Liesje
On the 16th of September the University of Aruba Research Center organized a session on sharing experiences around working on and submitting research proposals, initiated by Benedicta Deogratias. The slides summarize the challenges and tips shared by the five presenters. Based on the discussions and questions during the session. The UARC will follow up with the following - For the NWO PhD call: suggest to NWO to provide options to share the information from the statements of intent from the PhD candidates more widely so that supervisors with the relevant expertise can reach out to these candidates. A lot of PhD candidates struggled with setting up their supervisory team for this call. - Based on the questions and interest around this session, we expect to organize a more practical/how to workshop on research proposals in early 2026, aligned with the NWO PhD Caribbean call. - Look into the possibilities of working with a team on shared documents (in collaboration with IT) - The Research Center can help with suggestions for supervisors and help with reaching out to them, but we may not have the expertise or connections for your research field. The Research Center can set up a database with potential supervisors who have already reached out to see if there are collaboration opportunities. - The Research Center can help with setting up budgets for research proposal. We will also set up information for research calls in Stone in a more transparent manner. - The Research Center will set up a database of potential supervisors that have already been in contact with the UA about being open to collaborate.
Metadata only
Stories of support. Invisible disabilities made visible (through the lens of auto-ethnography)
(2025-06-09) Arias, Nurianne; Noordegraaf, M.; de Droog, Mieke
See the full summary on the conference website as well: https://conferenciaclacso.org/programa/resumen_ponencia.php?&ponencia=Conf-1-703-74494&p=8457 Background From a presumed ‘healthy’ life to suddenly living with type 1 diabetes for life. This autoethnography narrates my journey before my diagnosis until the present day, years after what I then experienced as the ‘verdict’, i.e., the day I was diagnosed. At 20, I found myself reworking my social identity after an unexpected lifelong diagnosis. I was undoubtedly influenced on the personal and professional level as I rediscovered my identity, career ambitions and identity and established relationships. I rediscovered each environment already known to me and redefined how I was going to reestablish my existing relationships. For this reason, I delve into the auto-ethnographic method to study how support in social and organizational environments, such as family, friends, professors, colleagues, and medical experts played a role in my experiences as a person with an (invisible) disability. Based on recollections of my lived experiences and those of my loved ones, I offer my experience as a lesson and stimulator for organizing support systems around people with an invisible disability to help achieve and maintain desired health outcomes. I show how unknown and unmatched needs were overlooked and how these impacted my self-identity, overall well-being, and survival strategies. I hope to stimulate further research on the topic of the impact of (informal and formal) support systems on self-identity after lifelong diagnosis, especially in small island contexts like Aruba. This auto-ethnography aims at highlighting the organizational aspects within these different contexts and how the organization processes unfolds while the individual manages their condition within these environments such as school, work and other public environments the individual participants in. Problem statement There is limited ethnographic research about diagnosis and ‘survival strategies’ in small island contexts. Authors such as Nash (2015) have studied the factors that play a role in the process of dealing with diagnosis, thus grief, in the general context. The author discusses suggested approaches from psychological models for effective diagnosis conversations, a scenario I discuss in my auto-ethnography. This part of living with a disability is also important because it affects those in the individual's surroundings. The five stages of the grief process by Kubler-Ross (1997 as cited in Nash, 2015); denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance underlines the importance of acknowledging not only the individual's feelings but also the relationships built in a formal or informal environment. Considering that environment and the dynamic play a great part in the experience of a person, I aim at describing and narrating the realities faced whether positive or negative. These realities may seem different when living in a small and even multicultural community and hence this auto-ethnography will map out how a person navigates and forms strategies to deal with a community in which the needs are misunderstood, unmatched and unmanaged. The focus is on how individuals with an invisible disability can engage in organizing their respective social and organizational environments while managing their disability. Theoretical background An estimated 1.3 billion individuals,16% of the global population, experience significant disability. Individuals who have ‘’long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.’’ (Disability, 2024). The understanding of disability has shifted and now includes the physical, social, and political context of the individual. It also carries an understanding of the interaction between the person’s condition or impairment and influencing factors within their environment. Making the world accessible is a constant challenge, and while many efforts are being made, there is much more to be done (Disability, 2024). The realities behind individuals experiencing a disability are harsh. Statistics show that some individuals living with a disability die prematurely, up to 20 years earlier compared to individuals who live without a disability due to inequities like lack of financial support or education. Health inequities are continuously prominent, and individuals are faced with unfair conditions such as stigma, discrimination, and exclusion from education and employment (WHO, 2023). The WHO identified factors that contribute to these inequities: structural factors, social determinants of health, risk factors, and health systems. These factors are experienced in different forms; ableism, limiting laws & policies, exclusion from education & employment, higher risk of developing non communicable diseases, discriminatory practices, and lack of information or data analysis on disabilities (WHO, 2023). People with disabilities are reliant on (formal) social support mechanisms, including public service support, to engage in health, community and work activities. Aim, research question and auto-ethnography This auto-ethnography aims at shedding light on how the environment of the individual and relationships impact the so-called identity renewal or re-discovery process after diagnosis – how environments help or hinder the reworking of who you are. Instead of focusing on ‘the person’ with ‘a disability’ and making sure that the person ‘can cope’, I see invisible conditions as relational: institutional, cultural and social environments affect how living with a condition or disability are played out. The support of an online community (Kontoangelos et al., 2022), support from adult friends and parents (Bekelman, 2023) and public support (including professional support) have shown to be influential on attitudes and behavior in regard to one’s own diabetes management positively. The practical support, particularly during stressful times, tends a person get through the hard times. Those who do not experience diabetes daily may not understand the feeling of burden it brings to the person's life. To cover these aims, the following question was formulated for the autoethnographic article: How do individuals who are (suddenly) diagnosed with a lifelong condition (such as diabetes) supported by multiple environments in a small island context (such as Aruba)? I used autoethnography and narrative research techniques to describe personal experience with the aim of understanding cultural experiences (Ellis, 2004; Holman Jones, 2005 as cited in Ellis et al., 2011). While I feature my own diagnosis experiences, I describe certain characteristics and experiences in relation to my Caribbean cultural background through short stories and on some occasions gender as it helps shed light on aspects that might not be usually considered in the research process (Denzin & Lincoln, 2013; Finlay, 2016 as cited in Ellis et al. 2011. (Preliminary) conclusions All diagnosis stories are different, tailored to everyone’s life, uniqueness and context. The individual with the invisible disability occasionally interacts with the medical field for guidance and control, but most of the time life happens at school, work, recreational club and family. Smallness may resemble closeness, warmth and continuous company, however, in the case of a stressful condition, these feelings may vanish or even so, transform into feelings of dependence, anxiety and restrain. Individuals who are suddenly diagnosed with a lifelong condition, do not always navigate their relationships, but rather ‘swim against the tides’ when they are removed from leadership of their own ship. Besides feeling the loss of control of your own body, you might experience an intense feeling of dependency because you perceive a sense of failure while self-managing. While you attempt to reach a level of confidence and acceptance, you are constantly navigating between your own negative thoughts and the imposed survival strategies from those who try to support and help you carry the burden. Individuals in the informal environment, such as family and friends, might feel that because of the proximity, they are expected to play a steering role in the journey of the person with the disability. They overlook that a condition such as diabetes is an ongoing self-management quest where the individual – no matter the circumstances – needs to reach a level of emancipation and autonomy in order to reach acceptance at the highest degree possible. Strategies by the person with the disability are developed when concerns and challenges are identified. The complexity that is dealt with is being able to support the individual with the disability without taking their autonomy for self-management. Letting them be the captain of their ship and identify which principles in their environment no longer fits their renewed identity or lifestyle. In the organizational context this means that the dialogues and connections should move to a personalized support, taking the stages of grief and personal needs into consideration. Once the space of support is created, it cannot be erased or traced back as it is considered as an ally ship. It cannot be seen or grasped, but a difference can be observed when the individual willingly asks for flexibility or for others to take over when it is needed. A distinction was made between the social and organizational environment, however, consequently, the same principle of support in multiple environments is portrayed, which is the boundary between solicited and unsolicited support, thus attention and respect to the individual’s autonomy. As such, individuals who have recently been diagnosed, do not always seek only an immediate solution or practices to help them self-manage but rather, a space that is willing and safe to navigate the complexities and novelty of everyday life more freely. Bit.ly link to full document and references: http://bit.ly/4gq51wt
Metadata only
Culturally adapted diabetes self-management education and support in the North America and Caribbean region
(2025-04-10) Arias, Nurianne; Noordegraaf, M.; de Droog, Mieke
Background It is no surprise that the prevalence of diabetes type 2 has increased in the past years on the global scale. The Caribbean region is no exception. Unfortunately, a significant number of individuals living with diabetes struggle to manage their condition. Structured education programs and support (interventions) like ‘PRISMA Aruba’ and ‘Kijksluiter’ have supported individuals with diabetes type 2 with self-management and action planning. Aim Both programs aimed at researching the challenges these individuals experience and contributing to their confidence for self-management and medical adherence. The PRISMA Aruba effectivity study (quantitative) aimed at studying the effectivity of an education program while the ‘Kijksluiter’ intervention aimed at researching the impact of an animated medication information followed by proactive telephone counseling from their community pharmacist on adherence to diabetes medical treatment of individuals with diabetes type 2 (quantitative and qualitative). The focus of ‘Kijksluiter’ was geared towards individuals prescribed with oral medicine. Results Improvements were shown in both self-management and biomedical data after completing the ‘PRISMA’ program. Results also showed that self-confidence had an impact on the self-management of the participants. In the PRISMA study, factors such as the support of family, friends and the social environment were not directly tested yet; these were emerging factors in the experience of the participants that were informally shared. Results in the ‘Kijksluiter’ support program showed several outcomes. One of the success factors of the implementation of the study was the perceived need to provide the participants with information and counseling while one of the barriers included limited available resources such as staffing shortages. On the other hand, many participants acknowledged that they needed a lifestyle change in addition to the medical treatment. Some of the barriers to medication adherence included none accepting attitude towards their condition and absence of a structured daily routine. Conclusion In conclusion, the ‘PRISMA’ education group helped individuals with type 2 diabetes gain self-confidence in their self-management journey. In the case of the ‘Kijksluiter’ support program, one of the outcomes was medical adherence. The results of the ‘Kijksluiter’ indirectly indicated that an important factor is the connection and personal contact with the individual which was present as a combination between the animated video and the telephone calls. The emotional and cultural aspect remains a prominent factor in which barriers must be overcome in order to effectively help the individual. While these concerns remain prominent for individuals with diabetes type 2, this is also perceived among individuals with type 1 diabetes on the island of Aruba. This concern makes interventions that include the social environment and the impact of counseling a potential remediation for feelings of among others, self-shame and lack of confidence among individuals with type 1 diabetes. References Arias, N. (2022). Feasibility of PRISMA (Dutch Desmond) as a contextualized education program for the enhancement of self-management of diabetes in Aruba. [Unpublished manuscript]. Hooi, N., Tromp, A., Heijningen v. S.C., Valois-Smith, S., Grêaux, K. M. & Hugtenburg, J.G. (2024), Type 2 Diabetes Patients' Needs and Preferences regarding Medication Information in Aruba and Curacao. Type 2 Diabetes Patients' Medication Information Needs and Preferences in Aruba and Curacao. Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Botica di Servicio, University of Curaçao, University of Aruba, Sint Maartenskliniek, Radboudumc, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Nivel, University of Groningen. [Unpublished manuscript].
Metadata only
The time is now: improving access to diabetes care in a strengthened global policy framework. Co-hosted by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Diabetes Foundation (WDF)
(2025-04-08) Arias, Nurianne; Noordegraaf, M.; de Droog, Mieke
In this presentation I shared Aruba's journey as a model of best practices for implementing national diabetes and NCD frameworks, with civil society organizations playing a leading role. I showcased (community-driven) initiatives and programs embedded among key stakeholders, generating measurable impact. I had the opportunity to connect these experiences to the broader global agenda, including the WHO Global Diabetes Compact, the integration of treatment coverage targets into operational and monitoring systems, and strategies for resource mobilization and advocacy. Finally, the case of Aruba was positioned within the global diabetes community as an example of how small island states can contribute valuable lessons to global health governance.
Open Access
PRISMA Aruba by Fundacion Diabetes Aruba in collaboration with Dietetics and Nutrition Sciences, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc)
(2020) Arias, Nurianne; de Droog, Mieke
The effectivity study of PRISMA Aruba 'A self-management education program for adults with type 2 diabetes in Aruba' was conducted from 2019 to 2020. A summary of the results of this study is available in the summary 'Prisma_Summary_2020'. For an extensive elaboration of the research results, please read the full report of 2021.
Open Access
Diabetes Mellitus. An analysis of the conflict between the Global and Caribbean Discourse of Diabetes.
(2018) Arias, Nurianne; Ossewaarde, M. R. R.; Junjan, V.
Diabetes prevalence has been growing rapidly through the years. This condition has affected many individuals and has been the cause of extremely high government expenditures within health care. Diabetes is not only a health condition, but its prevalence has affected communities in many ways which has led to the understanding that nowadays diabetes is defined as a social problem in need of immediate change. This research will study the discourse of diabetes in the Caribbean. Studies about diabetes are limited especially in the Caribbean. The global discourse of diabetes is different and differs depending on the context. This research will be based on analysis of documents of global discourse of diabetes and documents in the Caribbean context. The main aim of the research is to explain an unmask unrevealed truths of the discourse of diabetes in the Caribbean and its factors and what the meaning is of the Caribbean discourse of diabetes means and implies.
Open Access
Diabetes and Culture In The Caribbean
(University of Curaçao/University of Puerto Rico, 2017) Arias, Nurianne
Restricted
Diabetes management in a changing society. Associating forces to create more sustainable collaborations
(University of Aruba, 2016) Arias, Nurianne; de Droog, Mieke; Dresscher-Lambertus, Nadia; de Jong, Lex
This thesis presents a qualitative research on diabetes management, its success factors and barriers in Aruba. This thesis also includes theoretical studies of global approaches and practices. The thesis categorizes five key factors of diabetes management which are; level of prevention, policy/program development and implementation approach, collaboration and communication, medical and psychosocial support, and instruments. The factors were based on the theoretical study of global approaches and practices that are currently being exercised. The research instrument this thesis applied is a topic list interview based on the theoretical model which consists of the five key factors defined. The findings have been analyzed through selective coding and through categorization of the responses (Baarda et al., 2013). A total of twelve experts in the field participated in this research. The main research question of this research is: What are achievable and innovative approaches for successful and strategic management of diabetes in Aruba? There are four sub questions which concern approaches exercised in the past in the local context, modern approaches that are currently being exercised in the global context, success factors and barrier of diabetes management and achievable new approaches for diabetes management in Aruba. The main finding of the research is that a joint strategic plan should be developed for all three levels of prevention namely primary prevention for the community in general, secondary prevention for at risk patients and secondary prevention for diagnosed patients. This plan should aim at concretely defining the tasks of each stakeholder of diabetes management. This plan should also describe how resources including monetary and human resources should be redistributed. This should be supported by a research based on FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Association, 2006) in order to collect new and relevant data about the current population that is at risk of developing diabetes and that are diagnosed with diabetes.
Open Access
Diabetes Management in a Changing Society. Associating forces to create more sustainable collaborations
(University of Aruba/University College Utrecht, 2016) Arias, Nurianne; Mijts, Eric; Ballantyne, Jocelyn