Problems in cognitive (e.g., executive function) and emotional (e.g., depressive symptoms) self-regulation are associated with poorer management, both at the between- and within-person levels. Better management occurs when parents are supportive and when individuals actively regulate the involvement of others (e.g., seek help, minimize interference). Friends both help and hinder self-regulation, while research on romantic partners is limited. Facets of self- and social-regulation are important risk and protective factors for diabetes management during emerging adulthood. At this time when relationships are changing, the social context of diabetes may need to be regulated to support diabetes management. Interventions targeting those with self-regulation problems and facilitating self- and social-regulation in daily life may be useful.

Objective To examine (a) changes in parental involvement across early emerging adulthood, (b) whether yearly fluctuations in parental involvement were associated with adherence and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over time, and (c) whether higher involvement was more beneficial for those with poorer executive function (EF). Methods A total of 228 high school seniors (M age = 17.76) with type 1 diabetes reported on mothers’ and fathers’ acceptance, knowledge of diabetes activities, disclosure to mothers and fathers regarding diabetes, and adherence at four yearly time points. At baseline, participants completed performance-based measures of EF. HbA1c was collected from assay kits. Results Growth curve models revealed significant declines in disclosure to fathers and mothers’ and fathers’ knowledge of diabetes activities; no changes were found in mothers’ or fathers’ acceptance nor disclosure to mothers. Multilevel models indicated significant between-person effects for nearly all aspects of parental involvement with more acceptance, knowledge, and disclosure associated with better HbA1c and adherence. Within-person effects for disclosure to fathers, and mothers’ and fathers’ knowledge indicated that in years when emerging adults perceived higher amounts of these types of involvement (compared with their own average), HbA1c was lower. Within-person effects were found for acceptance to mothers, disclosure to mothers and fathers, and mothers’ diabetes knowledge for adherence. Disclosure to fathers and mothers’ knowledge of diabetes activities were especially beneficial for HbA1c for those with poorer EF performance. Conclusions Parental involvement in diabetes management remains important during the high-risk time of emerging adulthood, especially for those with poorer EF.

Examine ethnic differences in diabetes-related stress and coping among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their mothers. Early adolescents with type 1 diabetes ( N  = 118, ages 10-15 years; 54% female; 47% Latino and 53% non-Latino White) and mothers described the adolescent's diabetes-related stressors and coping strategies, and rated stressor severity and controllability and coping competence. Surveys measured adherence; glycemic control (HbA1c) was indexed from medical records. Few ethnic differences in stress and coping emerged among adolescents. However, Latina mothers reported fewer diabetes-related stressors, had lower congruence with their adolescent on reports of diabetes-related stress, and appraised their adolescent as less competent in coping than non-Latino Whites. Lower dyadic stressor congruence and lower appraisals of coping competence were associated with poorer HbA1c. Mother-adolescent congruence in perceptions of diabetes stress, and appraisals of early adolescents' coping, may be important for understanding diabetes management in ethnically diverse samples.

Identity formation constitutes a core developmental task during adolescence, but may be challenged when having a chronic illness such as type 1 diabetes. The present study examined whether viewing positive benefits to one's diabetes across adolescence was related to greater identity exploration and commitment later in time. A total of 55 adolescents (10-14 years; 47% female) with type 1 diabetes participated in a six-wave study spanning 3 years (with six-month measurement intervals). Through latent growth curve modeling, Time 6 identity scores were regressed on intercept and slope terms of benefit finding through Times 1-4, simultaneously controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Identity exploration (but not commitment) at Time 6 was positively predicted by the intercept and slope of benefit finding: adolescents who find benefits in diabetes are more inclined to explore different alternatives later on in adolescence. Benefit finding may constitute a resource facilitating identity formation in adolescents with diabetes.

- Results highlight the importance of neighborhood disorder for adolescents' glycemic control. The nonsignificant association between neighborhood disorder and adherence behaviors suggests physiological rather than behavioral mechanisms may be driving neighborhood SES-health outcome links.