I just need a little support: Marital support and strain link to <scp>A1C</scp> for people with diabetes

Abstract Marital quality factors (i.e., support and strain) are associated with hemoglobin A1C (A1C) for people with diabetes. However, how these marital factors might be linked to A1C, in combination, is unclear. This study uses Midlife in the United States Biomarker Project data to examine independent and moderated associations between marital strain and marital support and A1C for individuals with diabetes mellitus ( N = 136). Marital strain and support interact in their association with A1C ( B = −0.24, standard error [SE] = 0.11, p &lt; .05). Simple slope analysis indicates marital strain is linked to higher A1C, but only in the context of low marital support ( B = 0.63, SE = 0.29, p = .03). Meaning, the presence of moderate levels of marital support may buffer against the problematic association between marital strain and worse A1C. This may suggest interventions for individuals with diabetes to include marital partners, but harnessing and improving support in existing marital relationships may be an important target for future family‐based diabetes management interventions.