The Role of Parent-Adolescent Relationships and Romantic Relationships in Type 1 Diabetes Management Outcomes in Adulthood

The current study aimed to examine current diabetes outcomes within the context of past and present relationships for type 1 diabetics. To qualify for the study, participants had to have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes prior to the age of 18 and reported that they were currently in a committed romantic relationship. Relationships have been known to impact diabetes management practices; however, the impact of the long-term impact of shared management for adolescents with their parents has never been examined. Additionally, the current romantic relationship has been shown to have an impact, as well, so romantic relationships were also included in the study. Family systems theory suggests that relationships across the lifespan have a significant impact on across the lifespan. Within the context of diabetes management, family systems theory suggests that the role of the parent in shared management in adolescence may have a long-term effect on diabetes management in adulthood. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the parent-child relationship dynamics related to diabetes in adolescence would be associated with current diabetes management outcomes in adulthood. Further, it was hypothesized that this relationship would remain when current romantic relationship dynamics were considered. The current study recruited n = 123 adult participants with type 1 diabetes who were currently in a committed romantic relationship. Participants completed an online survey focused on their relational experiences related to diabetes in adolescence and in the context of their current romantic relationship. The survey assessed the diabetes outcomes of general blood sugar management, the HbA1C (A1C), and emotional distress related to diabetes management. A series of multiple linear regression analyses revealed that, for the most part, a collaborative parent-child diabetes management relationship and parent-child diabetes management conflict were not associated with A1C in adulthood. However, greater parent-child conflict during adolescence was associated with greater diabetes emotional distress in adulthood. In terms of the partner relationship, unsupportive romantic partner behaviors were associated with poorer A1C and greater diabetes emotional distress, even when the parent-child variables (i.e., collaborative parent involvement, diabetes responsibility, and diabetes specific conflict) were also included in the analysis. All regressions are controlled for age. Romantic relationship quality was controlled for within the regressions that included the romantic relationship constructs. There were two notable outcomes from these analyses: 1) arguments related to diabetes management in adolescence may be related to diabetes emotional distress in adulthood, and 2) unsupportive partner behaviors may be related to worse A1C and diabetes emotional distress outcomes. Implications for future research and practice are also addressed within the study.