The Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS‐SSS): A psychometric systematic review

Abstract

AimsTo evaluate and synthesize psychometric properties of the MOS‐SSS and to identify quality versions of MOS‐SSS for use in future research and practice.DesignA psychometric systematic review.Data SourcesArticles about the translation, adaptation, or validation of the MOS‐SSS in Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science and their reference lists published before 11 November 2022.Review MethodsThe review followed the Consensus Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments guidelines.ResultsThe review included 35 articles. Eleven versions of MOS‐SSS (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, and 22 items) have been validated in various populations and 13 languages. Of 14 studies developing a translated version of MOS‐SSS, four studies performed both an experts' evaluation of content validity and a face validity test; two studies reported translation evaluation in the form of a content validity index. Of 35 studies, six performed both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis for structural validity; hypotheses and measurements for construct validity testings were often not clearly stated; two examined criterion validity; and four assessed cross‐cultural validity. Internal consistency reliabilities were commonly examined by calculating Cronbach's alpha and reported satisfactory. Five studies analysed test–retest reliabilities using intra correlation coefficient. Methodological concerns exist.ConclusionThe English 19‐item, Farsi Persian 19‐item, and Vietnamese 19‐item versions are recommended for future use in research and practice. Italian 19‐item and Malaysian 13‐item versions are not recommended to be used in future research and practice. All other versions considered in this review have potential use in future research and practice. Proper procedures for developing a translated version of MOS‐SSS and validating the scale are recommended.ImpactThe review identified quality versions of MOS‐SSS to measure social support in future research and practice. The study also indicated methodological issues in current validation studies. Application of the study findings and recommendations can be useful to improve outcome measurement quality and maximize the efficiency of resource use in future research and practice.No Patient or Public ContributionThis systematic review synthesized the evidence from previous research and did not involve any human participation.

Inflammatory Markers and Fatigue in Individuals With Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Social support was evaluated using the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey, which assesses perceived access to support (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991). This 19-item measure has demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding .70; it also has established structural validity (Dao-Tran et al, 2023). Higher scores on the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey indicate a greater level of social support.…”

“I am not the same as before”: a mixed-methods study on depression in people with spinal injury in Qatar

“…Higher subscale and overall scores indicate more social support. The English version of the MOS-SSS has been validated in numerous studies and found to have high internal validity and reliability ( 32 , 33 ). The Arabic version of the MOS-SSS has been validated and found to have high validity and reliability ( 34 ).…”

“…The Arabic version of the MOS-SSS has been validated and found to have high validity and reliability ( 34 ). A psychometric review of various translations of MOS-SSS recommended that the Arabic version has potential use in future research and practice ( 33 ). In this study, the MOS-SSS had excellent internal reliability (Cronbachs α=.960), as did the subscales: emotional/informational support (α=.955), tangible support (α=.950), affectionate support (α=.922), and positive social interaction (α=.967).…”

“…The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) (32) identifies self-reported information regarding companionship, assistance, and other types of support including emotional and affectionate support. This instrument was originally created for individuals with chronic conditions; positive associations were observed between measures of social support and psychological health (32). The MOS-SSS is a 19-item questionnaire that yields an overall social support index and four subscale scores for emotional/informational support, tangible support, affectionate support, and positive social interaction.…”

Community health worker navigation to improve allostatic load: The Integrated Population Health (IPOP) study

“…ICC of 0.69 and 0.62 for samples n = 48 and n = 61, respectively [ 54 ]. Social support 0, 6, 10 The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support (MOSSS) Survey (PhenX Toolkit) Likert-style 19 items across four functional support subscales: emotional/informational support (8 items), tangible/instrumental support (4 items), affectionate support (3 items), and positive social interaction (3 items) [ [55] , [56] ]. Available at: https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/protocols/view/630501?origin=search Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) of >0.70 across 33 out of 35 studies [ 55 , 56 ].…”