title: A revised Thai Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
abstract: In order to ensure the construct validity of the three-factor model of the Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and based on the assumption that it helps users differentiate between sources of social support, in this study a revised version was created and tested. The aim was to compare the level of model fit of the original version of the MSPSS against the revised version--which contains a minor change from the original. The study was conducted on 486 medical students who completed the original and revised versions of the MSPSS, as well as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and Beck Depression Inventory II (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to compare the results, showing that the revised version of MSPSS demonstrated a good internal consistency--with a Cronbach's alpha of .92 for the MSPSS questionnaire, and a significant correlation with the other scales, as predicted. The revised version provided better internal consistency, increasing the Cronbach's alpha for the Significant Others sub-scale from 0.86 to 0.92. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable model fit: chi2 128.11, df 51, p < .001; TLI 0.94; CFI 0.95; GFI 0.90; PNFI 0.71; AGFI 0.85; RMSEA 0.093 (0.073-0.113) and SRMR 0.042, which is better than the original version. The tendency of the new version was to display a better level of fit with a larger sample size. The limitations of the study are discussed, as well as recommendations for further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawarorot Rd., Tambon Sriphoom, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Kingdom of Thailand. nkuntawo@med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: Nahathai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wongpakaran
authors.forename: Tinakon
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wongpakaran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult