Scale Analysis

The analysis of the PSSS involves scoring the responses given to the 12 items of the scale. Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The scores from the items for each of the three dimensions (family support, friend support, and support from significant others) are summed to provide an overall score for each dimension. Then, the total scores for the three dimensions are combined to produce a general perceived social support score. Higher scores indicate greater perceived social support.

Purpose of the Scale

The main purpose of the PSSS is to measure the perceived social support experienced by an individual. The scale helps researchers and health professionals understand the level of social support available to the individual, which can influence psychological well-being and the ability to cope with stressful situations. Through the PSSS, it is possible to identify areas in need of improvement and to design interventions aimed at strengthening social support.

Calibration of the Scale

Calibration of the PSSS requires the assessment of the tool’s reliability and validity. Reliability refers to the internal consistency of the items, which is often evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha. A coefficient above 0.70 is considered acceptable. The validity of the scale is assessed through comparative analysis with other validated measures of social support and by examining correlations between PSSS results and indicators of psychological well-being and behavior. In this way, it is ensured that the scale measures what it is intended to measure and can be used reliably across different population groups.

References

Ronald Okada
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Health
York University
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M3J 1P