MEASURING PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN ROMANIAN ADOLESCENTS: PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, Viorel ROBU, Anișoara SANDOVICI, Mirela CIUDIN

Abstract
The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a measure widely used in the studies carried out in various fields of applied psychology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). To assess the factorial structure and validity of MSPSS (Study 1), 556 Romanian adolescents completed the MSPSS together with measures of overall life satisfaction, satisfaction with family, probability of engaging in risk behaviors, negative affective disposition, and suicidal risk. The factorial structure was counter-validated in a second sample of 702 adolescents (Study 2). In a third study, 149 adolescents completed the MSPSS twice, in order to estimate test-retest reliability. Data of exploratory factor analysis indicated three factors which accounted for 73.67% of the total item variance. Comparative analysis of four hypothetical measurement models showed the superiority of the three-factor model. Multi-group data analysis revealed the invariance of the factorial model across adolescent’s gender and age. In the three samples, the internal consistencies of the MSPSS subscales were found to be high (Cronbach’s α = .86-.91). The values of test-retest reliability were: Family = .79, Friends = .78, Significant other = .78, and total MSPSS = .78. Also, evidence for the concurrent and construct (discriminant) validity is presented. Girls reported higher levels of all types of social support as well as total support. Compared with adolescents living in disintegrated families, those from intact families reported higher levels of social support from their families. The MSPSS is a valid and reliable short measure which can be administered to explore the perceived social support from family, friends, or significant other among adolescents.

Keywords: Perceived social support; Romanian version of MSPSS; validity; reliability; adolescents

JIPED_24_1_2020_5