Scale Analysis

The Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) is a tool used to assess the perceived social support an individual receives from their environment. The scale consists of questions regarding support from various sources, such as family, friends, and significant others. Respondents’ answers help estimate the degree to which they feel they have social support in their lives.

Purpose of the Scale

The main purpose of the Perceived Social Support Scale is to measure the support an individual perceives from their social network. This includes the assessment of emotional support, practical assistance, and the availability of people for communication and sharing experiences. The scale helps researchers and clinical professionals gain a better understanding of the level of social support an individual receives and how this affects their mental and emotional health.

Scale Calibration

The calibration of the Perceived Social Support Scale is carried out using a five-point Likert scale, where responses range from “1 – Not at all” to “5 – Very much.” Each item evaluates the perceived support from different sources, and total scores are calculated by summing the responses across all items. Higher total scores indicate greater perceived social support, while lower scores suggest reduced perceived support.

References

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.
Nadel, Sarah. (2014). Developing a Social Support Measurement Instrument: A Methodological Approach to Measuring Undergraduate Perceptions of Social Support. Ohio State University, Master of Arts Thesis.