| Abstrakt: |
This study was motivated by interest in the validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) as a measure of social support in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. To this end, a validation study of the MSPSS was undertaken in Korea in 2021 during the worst period of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown restrictions using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Specifically, a sample of 1,434 adults completed a self-administrated survey; among them, 741 were randomly selected for the EFA whereas the remaining samples were used for the CFA. Among the study results, (a) suitability tests of the sample data for factor analysis were performed, and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin statistic was found to be sound for sampling adequacy; moreover, the skewness and kurtosis indicated that all items had normal distributions, and the homogeneity of the scale was supported by the finding of strong positive correlations between each item and the total. Further, (b) EFA revealed satisfactory internal consistency and homogeneity, with significant positive correlations among the three factors (significant others, family, and friends); testing showed that the three-factor structure of the original 12-item MSPSS was still appropriate. The concurrent validity of the MSPSS was measured by examining its correlations with similar constructs such as stress, loneliness, and depression, and all correlations were found to be statistically significantly negative, thus implying that perceptions of social support are associated with better mental or emotional health. (c) CFA was conducted to validate the original MSPSS three-factor model structure in a different sample of subjects, and these results validated the three-factor model based on sound fit indices. The paper concludes by suggesting the implications of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
