TY  - JOUR
A1  - Gellert, Paul
A1  - Häusler, Andreas
A1  - Suhr, Ralf
A1  - Gholami, Maryam
A1  - Rapp, Michael Armin
A1  - Kuhlmey, Adelheid
A1  - Nordheim, Johanna
T1  - Testing the stress-buffering hypothesis of social support in couples coping with early-stage dementia
JF  - PLoS one
N2  - Purpose:
To test whether the negative relationship between perceived stress and quality of life (Hypothesis 1) can be buffered by perceived social support in patients with dementia as well as in caregivers individually (Hypothesis 2: actor effects) and across partners (Hypothesis 3: partner effects and actor-partner effects).

Method:
A total of 108 couples (N = 216 individuals) comprised of one individual with early-stage dementia and one caregiving partner were assessed at baseline and one month apart. Moderation effects were investigated by applying linear mixed models and actor-partner interdependence models.

Results:
Although the stress-quality of life association was more pronounced in caregivers (beta = -.63, p<.001) compared to patients (beta= -.31, p<.001), this association was equally moderated by social support in patients (beta = .14, p<.05) and in the caregivers (beta =.13, p<.05). From one partner to his or her counterpart, the partner buffering and actor-partner-buffering effect were not present. 

Conclusion:
The stress-buffering effect has been replicated in individuals with dementia and caregivers but not across partners. Interventions to improve quality of life through perceived social support should not only focus on caregivers, but should incorporate both partners.
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189849
SN  - 1932-6203
VL  - 13
IS  - 1
PB  - PLoS
CY  - San Fransisco
ER  -