Insights on Personality, Social Support, and Caregiver Burden in Dementia

Results suggest higher scores in agreeableness and lower scores in openness and emotional stability are associated with reduced burden levels. Personality traits such as emotional stability and conscientiousness predicted the likelihood that caregivers would contact other caregivers. Although personality traits were associated with social contact and burden score changes, there was no relationship between seeking support and burden. This suggests that introverted caregivers and those with high conscientiousness may benefit from assistance in identifying peer support, while extroverted caregivers may need additional support in addressing their burden. The findings from this large caregiver sample highlight the need for behavioral studies to consider tailoring interventions to personality typologies.