Drop-the-p: Bayesian CFA of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Australia

Abstract

AimWe aimed to investigate whether the 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) constitutes a valid and reliable measure of social support for the general adult Australian population.MethodsData were from Australia’s National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004–2006 and included 3899 participants aged 18 years old and over. The psychometric properties were evaluated with Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis. One-, two-, and three-factor (Significant Other, Family and Friends) structures were tested. Model fit was assessed with the posterior predictive p-value (PPPχ2), Bayesian root mean square error of approximation (BRMSEA), and Bayesian comparative fit index (BCFI). Dimensionality was tested by comparing competing factorial structures with the Bayes factor (BF). Reliability was evaluated with the Bayesian ΩH. Convergent validity was investigated with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and discriminant validity with the Perceived Dental Control scale (PDC-3).ResultsThe theoretical three-factor model (Significant Other, Family, and Friends) provided a good fit to the data [PPPχ2 < 0.001, BRMSEA = 0.089-95% credible interval (CrI) (0.088, 0.089); BCFI = 0.963-95% CrI (0.963, 0.964)]. The BF provided decisive support for the three-factor structure in relation to the other structures. The SO [BΩH = 0.95 - 95% CrI (0.90, 0.99)], FA (BΩH = 0.92 - 95% CrI (0.87, 0.97), and FR (BΩH = 0.92 - 95% CrI (0.88, 0.97)] subscales displayed excellent reliability. The MSPSS displayed initial evidence of convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionThe MSPSS demonstrated good psychometric properties and excellent reliability in a large Australian sample. This instrument can be applied in national surveys and provide evidence of the role of social support in the Australian population.

Multidimensional scale of perceived social support: evidence of validity and reliability in a Chilean adaptation for older adults

“…the original 3-factors model (SO, FA, and FR) supported by most of the studies [ 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 23 – 27 , 29 – 31 ];…”

“…We used CFA to compare the goodness of fit of four models for MSPSS supported by previous research: the original 3-factors model (SO, FA, and FR) supported by most of the studies [ 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 23 – 27 , 29 – 31 ]; the 2-factors model where SO merges with FA (SO+FA and FR) that has been found in older adults and people with dependence issues [ 3 , 32 ]; the 2-factors models where SO merges with FR that has been found in teenagers [ 34 ], and. the one-factor model that has been found in Hurdu translation [ 22 ].…”

“…Several studies had tested its factor structure in different populations like university students [17], medical students [19], adult population [21], pregnant women [22], women in the postpartum period [23], cancer patients [24], teenagers [25,26], patients with chronic illnesses [27][28][29], incarcerated adults [20], family caregivers [30], and older adults [3,[31][32][33], demonstrating excellent psychometric characteristics [3,8,18,31]. The scale has been translated to different languages and adapted to socio-economic settings in different countries [8].…”

“…Most of the psychometric research has supported its 3-factors structure [17,18,20,21,[23][24][25][26][27][29][30][31], but some studies have found support for a 2-factors solution where Significant other's factor merges with Family [3,32,33] or Friends [34]. Even a study has found a onefactor solution for the Hurdu version [22].…”

Exploratory Graph Analysis of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Children

“…Secondly, we evaluated the absolute fit of each dimensional structure to indicate for each dimensional structure whether it correctly explained the observed SDQ item responses. That is, the absolute fit for each dimensional structure indicates "the degree of correspondence between the model and data" (Ribeiro Santiago et al, 2021b). The relative fit was evaluated by the Total Entropy Fit Index using Von Neumann entropy (TEFIvn) (Golino et al, 2020b).…”