Evidence of the validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in university students

Abstract

Social support refers to the social resources that a person perceives to be available and has been strongly associated with physical and mental health outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the internal consistency, construct validity, and test-retest reliability of the Perceived Social Support Multidimensional Scale (PSSMS) in university students in the Midwest of Brazil. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed with two independent random samples, both consisting of 1,147 students. The test-retest study was carried out with a sample of 347 medical students. Data were collected in two separate moments with a 14-day interval. The solution with the best fit was the three-factor model: family, friends, and significant others. The factor loadings of the scale items ranged between 0.767 and 0.950 and each factor showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively). The model also attained adequate fit: χ2(d.f.)=380 (49), p<0.0001; SRMR=0.023; RMSEA=0.077; CFI=0.993; TLI=0.990. Test-retest reliability was moderate (weighted kappa ranging from 0.36 to 0.52). The results suggest that the PSSMS has acceptable psychometric properties for use with university students.

Prevalência de depressão entre estudantes de Medicina em universidade de Goiás

“…Em relação às variáveis demográficas, o presente estudo mostrou associação de depressão com o sexo feminino e pessoas a partir dos 20 anos de idade. Outros estudos brasileiros incluindo estudantes de Medicina também encontraram maior prevalência de depressão no sexo feminino 12,16,23,24 . Contudo, deve-se ressaltar que as mulheres fazem consultas médicas mais do que os homens, o que pode ampliar a possibilidade de ocorrência do desfecho como definido aqui (diagnóstico médico referido em atendimento).…”

“…A escala, composta por 12 itens, avaliou o apoio social do tipo emocional e a interação social, tendo como fonte os amigos, a família e outros aspectos significativos. A escala apresentou boas propriedades psicométricas avaliadas mundialmente 11 e foi validada no Brasil 12 . Os escores foram somados e posteriormente categorizados em tercis.…”

Quality of life and associated factors for community health workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in northeastern Brazil

“…Social support can alleviate distress during times of uncertainty, crisis, anxiety and tension 38 . The instrument features 12 items, covering three factors (family, friends and significant others which look at the presence of a special person in time of need as a source of comfort, to share joys and sorrows, and care about feelings) 39 , and is scored using a Likert scale 36 .…”

Assessing perceived participation among older adults total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty patients six months post-surgery: a cross-sectional study

“…The MSPSS, comprising 12 items, evaluates individuals' perceptions of their social networks, encompassing family support (items 3, 4, 8, and 11), friend support (items 6, 7, 9, and 12), and significant other support (items 1, 2, 5, and 10). Using a 7-point Likert scale to gauge agreement, higher scores (ranging from 12 to 94) denote stronger perceived social support (32). The Chinese version of the MSPSS has consistently demonstrated reliability across diverse samples (33).…”