SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG YOUNG-ADULTS WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS - 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF AN ONSET COHORT

Past cross-sectional studies have suggested that young adults with ins ulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) may experience proble ms in their close peer relationships. For 10 years, we have followed a n onset cohort of children and adolescents with IDDM (n = 57) and an a ge-matched group who were originally recruited after an acute illness, accident, or injury (n = 54). Now aged 19-26 years, these two groups were compared in terms of their friendship patterns, dating and love e xperiences, and sense of loneliness. All subjects in both groups had a t least one friend. However, the IDDM group reported fewer friendships overall. The difference was accounted for by the number of less intim ate friends. The two groups had similar frequencies of current romanti c partners (IDDM = 63 %; comparison group = 64 %). While dating attitu de and dating assertiveness did not differ between groups, some differ ences were found in terms of experiences of a primary love relationshi p. IDDM patients experienced less trust and sense of intimate friendsh ip in these love relationships. No differences in loneliness were foun d. The preponderance of our findings indicate that the two groups had similar patterns and experiences of close peer relationships. Thus, th e study does not suggest that IDDM leads to serious problems in formin g social relationships for these patients during the transition to you ng adulthood. On the other hand, the IDDM patients' lower level of tru st and intimacy within love relationships are consistent with other fi ndings from this study suggesting specific areas of lowered self-worth that appear in social relationships.