Healthcare Transition Readiness, Family Support, and Self-management Competency in Korean Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose: The current study investigated factors related to healthcare transition readiness, including family support and self-management competency, in emerging adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 87 individuals, aged 16-24 years. Participants were recruited both from the outpatient clinic of Severance Children's Hospital, and an online self-help group for emerging adults with T1DM in South Korea. Participants reported perceived levels of family support, self-management competency, and healthcare transition readiness through a structured questionnaire. Results: Healthcare transition readiness was positively correlated with family support (r = 0.257, p = .016) and self-management competency (r = 0.606, p < .001). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that only self-management competency was a significant factor associated with healthcare transition readiness (beta = 0.699, p < .001). Conclusions: For emerging adults with T1DM, ongoing family involvement in diabetes care and enhanced self-management competency can strengthen their healthcare transition readiness. Furthermore, primary factors associated with healthcare transition readiness in the present study were identified as self-management competency and participants' age. Practice implications: Healthcare providers should assess and enhance healthcare transition readiness in emerging adults with T1DM. A primary method of addressing transition readiness is helping people strengthen their self-management competency. (c) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.