Abstract

Emerging adults (ages 18-26) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are especially vulnerable to diabetes management challenges when taking on increased disease responsibility during this critical period of development. They may experience higher cognitive and psychological demands compared to peers. The study examined whether having T1DM moderated the association between executive functioning (EF) and mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and disordered eating) in emerging adults. Exploratory analyses investigated the associations between EF, disease management, and mental health symptoms. Participants were 35 emerging adults with T1DM and 35 healthy controls. Participants completed questionnaire measures of mental health and performance-based EF tasks. Participants with T1DM provided diabetes management data. Bayesian structural equation modeling was used to operationalize latent EF and outcome variables and build two models investigating the proposed relationships. The exploratory analyses used multiple linear regressions. Having T1DM was significantly associated with higher disordered eating symptoms. Unexpectedly, having T1DM credibly moderated the relationships such that poorer EF was associated with fewer mental health (β = 0.326, p < 0.05) and fewer disordered eating concerns (β = 0.363, p < 0.05) in the T1DM group. These findings suggest that the impact of EF on mental health in emerging adults with T1DM may be variable and complex. The results emphasize the need for future research to further examine the cognitive processes that underlie the interplay between EF, T1DM, and mental health. It also underscores the importance of tailoring interdisciplinary mental health, diabetes management, and EF-focused interventions for this population.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Psychology

Rights

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