Description

The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) are a psychometric tool designed to measure various aspects of social support. The scale includes questions that examine the perception of social support, experiences of support from the social environment, and coping strategies used in difficult situations. Participants respond to items related to different domains of social support, such as support from friends, family, and social networks.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of data from the BSSS involves quantitative techniques for assessing the dimensions of social support. The main analytical procedures include:
Descriptive Statistics:
Means and standard deviations are calculated for each item or subscale.
Reliability:
Estimation of the internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient to confirm the reliability of the results.
Correlations:
Examination of the correlations between scores on different items or subscales to understand the relationships among various aspects of social support.
Factor Analysis:
Use of factor analysis to identify key factors contributing to the perception and experience of social support, if deemed necessary.

Purpose

The main goal of the BSSS is the detailed assessment of the level of social support received by an individual. It is used for:
Research Purposes:
Studying the relationships between social support and psychological or social variables, as well as the impact of support on well-being and health.
Clinical Assessment:
Evaluating the level of social support received by an individual and designing interventions to strengthen support and resilience.
Policy and Strategy:
Developing strategies and policies that promote social support and well-being.

Calibration

The calibration of the BSSS includes:
Assessment of Internal Consistency:
Calculation of the reliability of the tool using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, ensuring consistency of responses.
Comparative Analysis:
Comparing the scale’s results with data from other related studies to confirm the validity and reliability of the tool.

References

Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Measurement of perceived self-efficacy: Psychometric scales for cross-cultural research. Berlin: Springer.
Schwarzer, R., & Knoll, N. (2007). Social support and health. In Health Psychology: A Handbook (pp. 351–378). London: Wiley.
Linden, W., & Reddy, A. (2011). The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS): Validation and psychometric properties. Journal of Health Psychology, 16(3), 453–465.
Schwarzer, R., & Leppin, A. (1989). Social support as a moderator of stress. In Social Support and Health (pp. 131–152). New York: Springer.