La influencia del apoyo social en cuidadores de personas con deterioro cognitivo o demencia.The influence of social support on caregivers of people with cognitive impairment or dementia.Paula Antelo *, Pablo Espinosa * *Universidad de A Coruña, ResumenEl apoyo social se define como un conjunto de transacciones que implican ayuda, afecto y afirmación. Así, el objetivo de la investigación ha sido desarrollar un modelo que explique como la frecuencia de cuidados influye en la satisfacción de los cuidadores de personas con deterioro cognitivo o demencia a través de variables como el apoyo social o la sobrecarga. Los resultados obtenidos confirman que la frecuencia de cuidados predice la satisfacción. Asimismo, se demuestra que están mediados por el apoyo social y la sobrecarga, conllevando el primero a una mayor satisfacción y la sobrecarga a una disminución de la misma. Palabras clave: apoyo social, cuidadores, deterioro cognitivo, sobrecarga AbstractSocial support is defined as a set of transactions that involve help, affection, and affirmation. The objective of the research has been to develop a model that explains how the frequency of care influences the satisfaction of caregivers of people with cognitive impairment or dementia through such variables as social support or overload. The results confirm that the frequency of care predicts satisfaction. Likewise, it is shown that they are mediated by social support and overload, leading to the first to greater satisfaction and the overload to a decrease in it.

ResumenEl apoyo social se define como un conjunto de transacciones que implican ayuda, afecto y afirmación. Así, el objetivo de la investigación ha sido desarrollar un modelo que explique como el contacto con la familia conlleva a una mayor satisfacción en la población institucionalizada través de variables como el apoyo social percibido, aislamiento y autoestima Los resultados obtenidos confirman que el apoyo afectivo y las visitas recibidas predicen la satisfacción, pero están mediados por el apoyo informativo. Asimismo, un alto apoyo social conlleva a una mayor autoestima y satisfacción, y la falta de este a un mayor aislamiento social.Palabras clave: apoyo social, población mayor, autoestima, aislamiento, satisfacción. AbstractSocial support is defined as a set of transactions involving support, affection and affirmation. Thus, the aim of the research was to develop a model to explain how the family contact leads to greater satisfaction in the population institutionalized through variables such as perceived social support, isolation and self-esteem The results confirm that the emotional support and the visits received can predict satisfaction, but are mediated by informational support. Also, a high social support leads to greater self-esteem and satisfaction or, conversely, to a greater social isolation.

Being a caregiver for a person with dementia has negative health consequences, like depression, stress, anxiety, and burden. Consequently, it is important that caregivers receive social support and social resources during the trajectory of the disease. This study analyzes how different types of social resources impact caregivers’ well-being. A cross-sectional sample of 260 caregivers was divided into groups, depending on the social resources they had access to. Namely, social media (N = 157), day-care centers (N = 40) or residential centers (N = 63).  Social support, isolation, burden, coping strategies, and satisfaction measures were administered to participants, and groups were compared using ANOVA and SEM models. Help-seeking and social support received through social resources predicted satisfaction and caregivers’ burden. Formal resources positively influence care providers and their absence diminishes the impact of social support on perceived burden. This research reflects the importance of formal resources in the lives of caregivers and the benefits they generate throughout the course of the pathology. Supporting caregivers and bringing the social resources closer to them indirectly improves the informal response offered to people with dementia.