The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support: Analyses of Internal Reliability, Measurement Invariance, and Correlates Across Gender

In this study, we examined estimates of internal consistency reliability, measurement invariance, and differential correlates of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988) in samples of undergraduate men (n = 270) and women (n = 340). The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality assessment 2014-01, Vol.96 (1), p.103-112
Main Authors: Osman, Augustine, Lamis, Dorian A., Freedenthal, Stacey, Gutierrez, Peter M., McNaughton-Cassill, Mary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
College students
Correlation analysis
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Gender
Humans
Male
Measurement
Medical sciences
Multidimensional scales
Perceived social support
Perception
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometrics
Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reliability
Reproducibility of Results
Sex Factors
Significant others
Social Support
Students
Techniques and methods
Young Adult
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Summary:In this study, we examined estimates of internal consistency reliability, measurement invariance, and differential correlates of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988) in samples of undergraduate men (n = 270) and women (n = 340). The MSPSS is designed to assess 3 sources of perceived social support: family, friends, and significant others. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 24 years (M age = 19.60, SD = 1.4 years). First, composite scale reliability and coefficient omega methods provided adequate estimates of internal consistency reliability for the original MSPSS total and subscale scores. Second, results of multiple-groups invariance confirmatory factor analysis provided support for configural and metric invariance. Partial measurement invariance was attained for scalar and strict measurement invariance across men and women. Additionally, given the high correlations among the first-order factors, we conducted multiple-groups bifactor item response theory (bifactor-IRT) analysis to evaluate further the performances of the individual MSPSS items across gender. Support for the bifactor model was strong. Third, we conducted a series of simultaneous regression analyses to identify potential correlates of the social support construct for women and men.
ISSN:0022-3891
1532-7752
DOI:10.1080/00223891.2013.838170