The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis

One of the most popular instruments used to assess perceived social support is the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Although the original structure of the MSPSS was defined to include three specific factors (significant others, friends and family), studies in the literatur...

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Main Authors: Hakan Koğar, Esin Yılmaz Koğar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2024-01-01
Series:Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425124001183/type/journal_article
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author Hakan Koğar
Esin Yılmaz Koğar
author_facet Hakan Koğar
Esin Yılmaz Koğar
author_sort Hakan Koğar
collection DOAJ
description One of the most popular instruments used to assess perceived social support is the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Although the original structure of the MSPSS was defined to include three specific factors (significant others, friends and family), studies in the literature propose different factor solutions. In this study, we addressed the controversial factor structure of the MSPSS using a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis approach. For this purpose, we utilized studies in the literature that examined and reported the internal structure of the MSPSS. However, we used summary data from 59 samples of 54 studies (total N = 27,905) after excluding studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. We tested five different models discussed in the literature and found that the fit indices of the correlated 3-factor model and the bifactor model were quite good. Therefore, we also examined both models’ factor loadings and omega coefficients. Since there was no sharp difference between the two models and the theoretical structure of the scale was represented by the correlated three factors, we decided that the correlated three-factor model was more appropriate for the internal structure of the MSPSS. We then examined the measurement invariance for this model according to language and sample type (clinical and nonclinical) and found that metric invariance was achieved. As a result, we found that the three-factor structure of the MSPSS was supported in this study.
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spelling doaj-art-50ccd84a415e47cb80d2d5e2b9fe610d2025-01-16T21:53:07ZengCambridge University PressCambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health2054-42512024-01-011110.1017/gmh.2024.118The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysisHakan Koğar0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5749-9824Esin Yılmaz Koğar1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6755-9018Faculty of Education, Akdeniz University, Antalya, TürkiyeFaculty of Education, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, TürkiyeOne of the most popular instruments used to assess perceived social support is the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Although the original structure of the MSPSS was defined to include three specific factors (significant others, friends and family), studies in the literature propose different factor solutions. In this study, we addressed the controversial factor structure of the MSPSS using a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis approach. For this purpose, we utilized studies in the literature that examined and reported the internal structure of the MSPSS. However, we used summary data from 59 samples of 54 studies (total N = 27,905) after excluding studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. We tested five different models discussed in the literature and found that the fit indices of the correlated 3-factor model and the bifactor model were quite good. Therefore, we also examined both models’ factor loadings and omega coefficients. Since there was no sharp difference between the two models and the theoretical structure of the scale was represented by the correlated three factors, we decided that the correlated three-factor model was more appropriate for the internal structure of the MSPSS. We then examined the measurement invariance for this model according to language and sample type (clinical and nonclinical) and found that metric invariance was achieved. As a result, we found that the three-factor structure of the MSPSS was supported in this study.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425124001183/type/journal_articlesocial supportthe Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Supportmeta-analytic confirmatory factor analysismeasurement invariancefactor structure
spellingShingle Hakan Koğar
Esin Yılmaz Koğar
The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
social support
the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
measurement invariance
factor structure
title The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
title_full The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
title_fullStr The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
title_full_unstemmed The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
title_short The structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support: a meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
title_sort structure of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support a meta analytic confirmatory factor analysis
topic social support
the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis
measurement invariance
factor structure
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425124001183/type/journal_article
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