F17C - T1D Management During the Transition to Adulthood: Influences on Maternal Quality of Life

The transition to adulthood for adolescents and young adults with T1D is a critical period that poses significant challenges for families, particularly for mothers who often serve as primary caregivers. Mothers play a vital role in their child’s diabetes care, often taking on responsibilities such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin management, and logistical tasks. However, as adolescents gain independence, mothers must adapt to changing roles, which can lead to heightened stress, uncertainty, and emotional burden. Despite the extensive focus on glycemic outcomes and self-management in T1D, there is a lack of research exploring how this transition impacts mothers' quality of life (QoL) and diabetes-related distress. This session discusses research aimed to identify the caregiving behaviors most strongly associated with maternal diabetes-related distress and QoL during their adolescent or young adult child’s transition to adulthood. Attendees will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by mothers of adolescents and young adults with T1D, with a focus on the critical role caregiving behaviors play in shaping maternal well-being. Authors: Michelle Ness, PhD, MSN, RN, Department of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Towson University; Jennifer Saylor, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware. Funding source: Towson University, OSPR Seed Funding for Grantseekers.