Objective To examine the status of self-perceived burden in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and explore the relationships among social support,coping styles and self-perceived burden.Methods 103 elderly patients with peritoneal dialysis of outpatient follow-up were recruited.They were investigated using Self-Perceived Burden Scale,Social Support Rating Scale,and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire.Results The total score of self-perceived burden was at a moderate level and the average score was (36.67±3.67).The total score of social support,the average score of positive coping and negative coping were (40.27±5.83),(1.69±0.26),(1.80±0.40),then the difference was statistically significant when compared with domestic norm (34.56±3.73),(1.78±0.52),(1.59±0.66) (P＜0.05).The analysis found that self-perceived burden was negatively correlated with positive coping styles,social support and each dimension (r =-0.239,-0.668,-0.725,-0.252,-0.647,P＜0.05).Conclusions Medical personnel should inspire elderly patients to make full use of social resources and guide them to take positive attitude to deal with dialysis event.It would help them maintain well psychological condition for a long time and reduce the self-perceived burden of patients.