Description

The Sources of Social Support Scale (SSSS) is a tool used to assess the support an individual receives from various social sources. These sources may include family, friends, colleagues, or other significant people in the person’s life. The scale focuses on capturing the individual’s perception of the quality and quantity of support they receive from their social network.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data Analysis:The SSSS gathers information on the different sources of social support an individual has and how these impact their psychological well-being. The data are analyzed by measuring participants’ responses about the degree of support they perceive from each source (e.g., family, friends, coworkers).

Data Usage:The data from the scale are used to identify the most significant sources of social support for the individual and how they influence their psychological or emotional state. The SSSS is often used in studies examining the impact of social support on mental health, such as reducing anxiety or depression.

Purpose

The purpose of the SSSS is to provide a clear understanding of how individuals perceive social support from various sources. This can help researchers and clinicians understand how social support contributes to emotional well-being and resilience in challenging situations.

Scoring

The scale is typically scored using a Likert scale, where participants evaluate the support they receive across various domains based on the frequency or intensity of the support. The responses are scored, and the total scores indicate the level of social support perceived by the individual from their social network.

Bibliography

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.

Sarason, I. G., Levine, H. M., Basham, R. B., & Sarason, B. R. (1983). Assessing social support: The Social Support Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 127-139.

Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.