Introduction & Objective: Transition readiness is how prepared a YA is to move from pediatric to adult care and is linked to self-management and diabetes outcomes. Though barriers to transition are documented, less is known about psychosocial factors associated with transition readiness. We evaluated diabetes strengths and diabetes distress in relation to diabetes-specific transition readiness in YAs nearing transfer to adult care.
Methods: At baseline of an intervention RCT, 100 YA with T1D (Mean age=19.9±1.3, 42% male, HbA1c=8.8±2.0%, 52% pump, 76% CGM) self-reported on demographics, clinical variables, and measures of diabetes strengths, diabetes distress, and 3 domains of transition readiness (health behaviors, knowledge, navigation). After identifying significant covariates via ANOVAs, separate regression models tested diabetes strengths and diabetes distress in relation to transition readiness (each domain separately and summed).
Results: Models explained 12-18.5% of the variance in scores (Table). Greater diabetes strengths and female gender were independently associated with higher transition readiness scores.
Conclusion: Diabetes strengths may play a protective role in the context of transition-related challenges. Supporting YA strengths as part of a comprehensive preparation program may support transition readiness as YAs prepare to leave pediatric T1D care.
S.S. Eshtehardi: None. C.G. Minard: None. S.A. Carreon: None. S. Lyons: None. S. Mckay: None. R. Streisand: None. B.J. Anderson-Thomas: None. T.S. Tang: None. M.E. Hilliard: None.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (1R01DK119246); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (K26 DK138332)
