The moderating role of perceived social support on early maladaptive schemas and well-being for primary caregivers of dementia patients

Objective: This study aims to investigate the moderating role of perceived social support on early maladaptive schemas and well-being for primary caregivers of dementia patients. Method: Ninety-nine adult children as the primary caregivers of dementia patients participated in the study. They completed the measures of Young Schema Questionnaires-Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3), Caregiver Well-Being Scale, and Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Results: According to the results of the regression analyses, total perceived social support and perceived social support from significant others moderated the association of early maladaptive schemas and caregiver well-being-basic needs, unlike the perceived social support from family and perceived social support from friends. For the early maladaptive schemas and caregiver well-being-activities of living association, however, the moderator roles of total perceived social support and perceived social support from different sources were not confirmed. Conclusion: Since caregiving has negative effects on caregivers, it is important to identify the protective factors. The findings emphasize the buffering role of perceived social support from significant others, especially in terms of meeting basic needs, in the caregiving process.