Close relationships and diabetes management across the lifespan: The good, the bad, and autonomy. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Caitlin S; Berg, Cynthia A
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 26:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: autonomy -- lifespan development -- relationships -- self-management -- type 1 diabetes; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105318805815
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Relationships are linked with positive and negative self-management and illness outcomes for individuals with type 1 diabetes. Explanations for these mixed associations have remained separated in psychosocial research in type 1 diabetes by relationship type (e.g. parent vs spouse) and individual's age (e.g. adolescence vs older adulthood). In this conceptual review, we present a novel perspective that close relationships across the lifespan may be beneficial for illness self-management when they support individuals' sense of autonomy, defined from a Basic Psychological Needs perspective. Processes of autonomy support are crucial for promoting illness management across all ages and relationship types.