The Perceived Social Support for Job Search Activity Scale (PSS-JSAS): A psychometric evaluation in the context of Ghana

Abstract

Lack of social support can have a profound impact on the job search efforts of young adults. The Perceived Social Support for Job Search Activity Scale (PSS-JSAS) was developed to assess the quality of social support a job seeker receives during a job search. Building on this previous work, the present study assessed the PSS-JSAS’s factor structure, construct validity, reliability, and measurement invariance in the context of Ghana. Data for the present analysis were provided by 429 recent university graduates. The sample was randomly split into two subsamples for exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 223) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 206). EFA and parallel analysis with the first subsample suggested a single factor structure, comprising 6 items out of the original 8 items. In CFA with the second subsample, the construct validity of the single factor structure was found to be optimal. Multi-group CFA with the second subsample showed that the single factor structure was invariant across gender. Further, reliability analysis on the total sample and the subsamples demonstrated good internal consistency reliability for the 6 items. The validity evidence obtained in this study suggests that the PSS-JSAS has good psychometric properties and is thus suitable for assessing social support for job search efforts of university graduates.

Social support during COVID-19: Exploring the psychometric properties of the PSS-JSAS and its relationship with job search activities

“…Third, the present study's CFA model (CFI = 0.989 and RMSEA = 0.027) seems to be a better fit than the CFA model proposed by Ref. [ 33 ] (CFI = 0.950 and RMSEA = 0.080), with better model fit indices. Thus, this study contributes to the literature by empirically and quantitatively examining the PSS-JSAS scale.…”

“…The present study derived the factorial structure of the scale using stringent statistical techniques like EFA and CFA. Second, while exploring the psychometric properties of PSS-JSAS in the context of Ghana [ 33 ], recommended a six-item factorial structure of the scale. The author suggested that two statements should be discarded to reduce acquiescent response bias.…”

“…The job search is highly uncertain, frustrating, and time-consuming; thus, it may lead to feelings of helplessness, alienation, and loneliness [ 33 ]. Perceived social support in such situations helps one overcome physical and mental barriers during the job search process.…”

“…The cultural values of a few countries cherish individualism while that of others appreciate collectivism and universalism. Thus, before using the scale, research is required to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PSS-JSAS scale in its cultural background [ 33 ].asserted that [ 23 ] did not elaborate on the factor structure of the scale. They only referred to face validity; thus, a robust statistical mechanism using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis is required to establish the factor validity of the scale.…”

“…Also [ 23 ], did not examine the gender invariance of the scale. Previous researchers, including, [ 21 , 62 ]; and [ 33 ]reported significant gender-based variations in perceived social support. These reasons necessitate the psychometric analysis of the scale in a novel (where the scale has not been validated) context like India.…”