AimTo examine socioeconomic, condition‐related, and neuropsychological predictors of self‐management trajectories in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida.MethodIn this longitudinal study, participants completed the Adolescent/Young Adult Self‐Management and Independence Scale interview. Socioeconomic status (SES), shunt status, lesion level, and executive functioning were assessed. Growth in self‐management was estimated using linear mixed‐effects models.ResultsParticipants (n = 99) were aged 18 to 27 years. Approximately half (52.5%) were female and White; 15.2% were Black; and 32.3% Hispanic or Latino. Although none of the predictors were associated with growth in self‐management from ages 18 to 27 years (p > 0.05), several factors were associated with the intercept at age 18 years for total self‐management. Higher SES at baseline predicted a higher total self‐management score at age 18 years (b = 0.03, standard error [SE] = 0.01; p < 0.001). On average, participants at age 18 years with a shunt scored lower than those without a shunt (b = −0.90, SE = 0.32; p = 0.01); those with a thoracic lesion scored lower than those with lower lesion levels (lumbar: b = −1.22, SE = 0.34; sacral: b = −1.20, SE = 0.36; p = 0.001 for both). Better parent‐reported and teacher‐reported executive functions predicted higher total self‐management (metacognitive: b = −0.03, SE = 0.01; behavioral regulation: b = −0.04, SE = 0.01; p < 0.05 for both).InterpretationOn average, all participants improved in self‐management over time. Additionally, baseline superiority in self‐management for adolescents and young adults without a shunt, less severe lesions, better executive functions, and higher SES persisted over time.