Diabetes support from romantic partners during early emerging adulthood

We examined support for type 1 diabetes in casual versus committed romantic relationships and links to blood glucose, self-care, and affect in 101 young adults (M_age 18.8). Individuals provided survey and daily measures of support and blood glucose and affect during a 14-day diary period. Survey data indicated individuals viewed partners as helpful, with partners in committed relationships rated more helpful than those in casual relationships. Daily assessments indicated partners were seen as only moderately helpful. Individuals in committed relationships discussed diabetes with partners on more diary days than those in casual relationships. When individuals in any relationship type experienced more helpful partner support than their average, they reported higher positive and lower negative affect. However, those in casual relationships also experienced more negative affect and higher mean blood glucose the next day. Results suggest tradeoffs between immediate benefits and subsequent costs of partner support to adults in casual relationships.