The relationships between perceived social support, psychological well-being and acceptance-rejection levels toward their children in parents with multiple sclerosis: A conditional process model.

Abstract

This study examined how perceived social support and psychological well-being relate to parental rejection in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), using a conditional process model. A total of 208 parents with MS in Türkiye completed scales measuring perceived social support, psychological well-being, and parental acceptance-rejection. Results indicated that psychological well-being partially mediated the relationship between perceived social support and parental rejection. Moreover, perceived social support moderated this mediation, suggesting that its protective influence on parenting can remain significant even when psychological well-being is low. These findings offer a contribution by demonstrating that social support may help reduce negative parenting behaviors independently of well-being. This is among the first studies to apply a conditional process model in a MS population, providing insight into how psychosocial factors interact in parenting under chronic illness. The findings emphasize the need for individualized support that strengthens both well-being and perceived social in MS-affected parents.