Scale of Perceived Social Support – Significant Other Adult [SPSSSOA-4]

Description

The Scale of Perceived Social Support – Significant Other Adult (SPSSSOA-4) is a brief 4-item self-report measure designed to assess the extent to which an individual perceives support from a significant adult in their life.

The scale focuses on the perceived availability of emotional support, understanding, care, and assistance from an important interpersonal relationship.

Purpose

The main purpose of the SPSSSOA-4 is to assess perceived social support from a significant other adult and to examine how this form of support may relate to psychological well-being, mental health, coping, and interpersonal functioning.

Scoring and Analysis

Items are typically rated using a Likert-type response format. Responses can be combined to create a total score, with higher scores generally indicating greater perceived support from the significant adult.

Statistical analysis may include descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, factor analysis, correlations, and group comparisons, depending on the aims of the study.

Applications

The SPSSSOA-4 can be used in psychological, social, clinical, and behavioral research, particularly in studies examining the protective role of social support in relation to stress, emotional well-being, resilience, and mental health.

References

Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(1), 30–41.

Canty-Mitchell, J., & Zimet, G. D. (2000). Psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in urban adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 391–400.

Procidano, M. E., & Heller, K. (1983). Measures of perceived social support from friends and from family: Three validation studies. American Journal of Community Psychology, 11(1), 1–24.