Analysis

The analysis of the SPS includes the evaluation of its psychometric reliability and validity. The internal consistency of the tool is examined, as well as its convergent and discriminant validity through comparisons with other similar measures of social support. Factor analyses are also conducted to confirm the structure of the tool.

Objective

The objective of the SPS is to provide a reliable and valid method for measuring the social support that individuals receive. It is used in research studies to understand the effects of social support on various aspects of mental and physical health, as well as in clinical practice for assessing patients’ support needs.

Calibration

The calibration of the SPS is carried out using a Likert scale, where responses range from 1 (not at all true) to 4 (very true). Each subscale has four questions, and total scores are calculated by summing the scores of the individual items. Higher scores indicate greater perceived social support.

References

The development and validation of the SPS has been documented in various studies. One of the most important studies is that of Cutrona and Russell (1987), published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. This study describes the development of the tool, the evaluation of its reliability, and its validity across different populations. In addition, the research of Sarason et al. (1983) provides a framework for understanding social support and its effects on mental and physical health, which is fundamental for the use of the SPS.