The separation in coordination between social- and self-regulation for emerging adults with type 1 diabetes

To examine how self-regulation and social-regulation surrounding type 1 diabetes (T1D) management are coordinated during early emerging adulthood and whether classes of coordination relate to HbA1c and executive functioning (EF). Emerging adult participants (N = 212) with T1D (M age = 18.8 years, SD = .40) completed a 14-day diary to capture components of self-regulation and social-regulation. A mixture multi-level latent coordination model first determined the separate but coordinated factor structure of self- and social-regulation, then determined the number of distinct classes of coordination and how those classes linked to HbA1c and EF. The best-fitting model included three coordinative factors (self, mother, and father) of regulation and two distinct classes. The class with lower HbA1c and higher EF had more stable self- and social-regulation, more connections between self- and social-regulation and reflected more adaptive patterns, consistent with medical management goals. Social connection with parents may aid in regulation during this at-risk transitional time of emerging adulthood.