Brief scales for measurement of functional social support and psychological resources in French-speaking adults.
OBJECTIVE
Psychological resources and social support are important determinants of health, but brief and validated scales measuring these dimensions in French are lacking.


METHODS
Instruments measuring self-esteem and mastery, and affective and confident social support were administered by mail to 1257 university students. Factor analysis, internal consistency statistics, and correlations with related variables were used to derive abbreviated scales and confirm their validity.


RESULTS
Factor analysis and item reduction yielded four brief scales: mastery (4 items), self-esteem (4 items), affective social support (2 items), and problem-solving social support (4 items). All four scales had few missing items and adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70). All scores were associated with self-reported general health, and with visits to mental health specialists. Scores of self-esteem and mastery were also associated with physician visits (inversely), and confidence in finishing studies and finding a job. Scores of affective and confident social support correlated with the intensity of social activities and the number of people the respondent could count on.


CONCLUSIONS
The abbreviated scales retained adequate psychometric properties and may be usefully applied in health research among similar French-speaking populations.
Bovier
Patrick A
PA
Department of Community Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals. patrick.bovier@hcuge.ch
Chamot
Eric
E
Perneger
Thomas V
TV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012106:Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland