Background Emerging adulthood presents unique challenges for type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. Barriers to achieving optimal diabetes outcomes have been studied but less is known about how emerging adults overcome these challenges. Characterizing emerging adults' protective factors may help guide T1D care during this developmental period. We anticipated identifying social, cognitive, and behavioral protective factors and were open to additional themes. Methods We analyzed transcripts from semi‐structured qualitative interviews with 62 emerging adults (age 18‐24 years) with T1D using hybrid thematic analysis. Interviews queried about participants' perspectives on diabetes management challenges, how they overcome challenges, and diabetes resilience. Results We categorized responses into three types of protective factors: (a) Social: Interpersonal strategies such as obtaining tangible support (especially from parents) and emotional support from friends, medical professionals, and community leaders. (b) Cognitive: Believing one can live a “normal” life with T1D, benefit‐finding, and viewing diabetes management as an important part of life. (c) Behavioral: Proactively planning for diabetes challenges, maintaining a consistent routine while allowing for flexibility, balancing diabetes and non‐diabetes activities, and using diabetes‐specific and general technologies to support self‐management. Conclusions The adaptive approaches emerging adults with T1D use to handle the challenges of diabetes include seeking interpersonal support, managing their thoughts about T1D, and taking specific actions to prevent or resolve challenges. Helping emerging adults identify and strengthen their protective factors has potential to affect clinical outcomes. Strengths‐based assessment and clinical attention to protective factors may prepare adolescents to successfully manage the challenges of transition to adult care.

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Having a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D) impacts the entire family system. Parental distress and burden have been well studied, but other family members, including siblings, have received little attention. Based on research about family life and sibling experiences in other chronic condition populations (e.g., autism, cancer), we expected parents of youth with T1D would report that siblings participated in T1D management and that T1D had a psychological impact on siblings. As part of a larger qualitative study, parents of youth with T1D age 5-17 (M = 10.8 6 3.6 years) participated in semistructured interviews about T1D-specific healthrelated quality of life. For this study, we conducted secondary analyses on transcripts from 20 parents (95% mothers) from households with at least 1 sibling of the child with T1D. Three themes emerged: (a) siblings share the workload and help with T1D management, (b) T1D takes an emotional toll on siblings, and (c) parents feel guilty about prioritizing T1D over siblings' needs and desires. Parents recognized siblings have impactful roles in T1D management and family functioning. Future research into these themes can guide clinical and research efforts to develop sibling-inclusive resources and interventions for families with T1D. Enhancing family-focused interventions to recognize and support the needs of siblings may ultimately improve family T1D-related quality of life.