Generality of support sources and psychometric properties of a scale of perceived social support in Turkey

Loneliness, Social Support Level, Quality of Life and Symptom Management Among Turkish Oncology Patients

This cross-sectional and correlational study was performed in order to determine the relationships between the perceived loneliness and social support levels of Turkish oncology patients, as well as their quality of life and symptom management. A total of 370 oncology inpatients participated in this study. Data were collected using, the FACT-G Quality of Life Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the UCLA-Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. A negative advanced significant relationship was found between the MSPSS total scores (r = -0.754, p < 0.01) and the UCLA-LS total scores. As the social support levels of the patients increased, their loneliness levels were seen to decrease and their quality of life was seen to increase. The patients were found to experience the symptoms of fatigue, worry, and feeling unwell more often as their loneliness levels increased and social support levels decreased.

The mediating role of self-efficacy, social support, and hope in the relation between mental health and resilience among 2023 Türkiye earthquake survivors

This research aims to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy, social support, and hope in the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience in 2023 Türkiye earthquake survivors (N = 491). The findings from a multi-mediation analysis showed the indirect effect of depression, anxiety, and stress on resilience through self-efficacy, social support, and hope. Thus, self-efficacy, social support, and hope may be protective factors for resilience in earthquake survivors. Strategies to improve self-efficacy and hope in earthquake survivors and social support may be necessary in reducing the stress factors caused by earthquakes.

Caregiving Self-Efficacy in Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: The Role of Knowledge of Dementia and Perceived Social Support

PURPOSE

To examine the role of perceived social support and knowledge of dementia in family caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) regarding caregiving self-efficacy.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional, and predictive design was used.

METHODS

The study was conducted with caregivers of PwD (n:102) between March and May 2022. Data was collected using the following forms: a socio-demographic characteristics form, the revised scale for caregiving self-efficacy (RSCSE), the dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS) and the revised form of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (RFMSPSS). Data was assessed through descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis.

FINDINGS

The participants' RSCSE, DKAS and RFMSPSS mean scores were 1125.89 ± 417.18 (range:0-1800), 15.70 ± 6.06 (range:0-34), and 52.72 ± 20.07 (range:12-74), respectively. Analysis indicated that DKAS and RFMSPSS predicted positive caregiving self-efficacy scores but it was not statistically significant for DKAS (R2:0.209, F:13.077, p < 0.001). These variables accounted for 21% of total variance of caregiving self-efficacy. RFMSPSS predicted positively and statistically significantly (β:0.461, p < 0.001) the total score of the self-efficacy scale.

CONCLUSIONS

The perceived social support of caregivers of PwD is an important predictor of the self-efficacy level of caregivers.

CLINICAL EVIDENCE

In order to enhance improving the quality of the caregiving process, caregivers should be strengthened, and caregiving self-efficacy should be comprehensively evaluated to enable assistance to the caregiver. The social support of caregivers is an important predictor of caregiving self-efficacy. Therefore, social support should be taken into consideration when engaging in appropriate initiatives.

Exploratory RCT of a group psychological intervention for postnatal depression in British mothers of South Asian origin - ROSHNI-D

BACKGROUND

Postnatal depression (PND) is a global public health problem. There is a high prevalence of PND amongst ethnic minority women and major ethnic inequalities in mental health care in the U.K. Language and cultural barriers pose a significant challenge for access to timely treatment and interventions for British South Asian (BSA) women with PND.

METHODS

The study, carried out in Manchester and Lancashire, England, was a two-arm single-blind exploratory randomised controlled trial. BSA women (N = 83) having a baby <12 months were randomised either to the group receiving the culturally adapted Positive Health Programme (PHP) (n = 42) or to the group receiving treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 41). Follow-up assessments were at 3 months (end of intervention) and 6 months after randomisation.

RESULTS

Using an intention to treat analysis, there was no significant difference between PHP intervention and TAU groups in depression measured using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale both at 3 and 6 months follow up. Using modified intention to treat analysis, women who attended four or more sessions showed significant reduction in depression in the PHP group compared to the TAU group and the greater number of sessions attended was associated with greater reductions in depression scores.

LIMITATIONS

The sample was relatively small and the study was conducted in one geographical area in Northwest England; hence, these results may not be generalizable to other regions and populations.

CONCLUSION

The recruitment and trial retention figures highlighted the ability of the research team to engage with BSA women, having implications in planning services for this group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.govNCT01838889.

Evidence of the validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in university students

Abstract Social support refers to the social resources that a person perceives to be available and has been strongly associated with physical and mental health outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the internal consistency, construct validity, and test-retest reliability of the Perceived Social Support Multidimensional Scale (PSSMS) in university students in the Midwest of Brazil. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed with two independent random samples, both consisting of 1,147 students. The test-retest study was carried out with a sample of 347 medical students. Data were collected in two separate moments with a 14-day interval. The solution with the best fit was the three-factor model: family, friends, and significant others. The factor loadings of the scale items ranged between 0.767 and 0.950 and each factor showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively). The model also attained adequate fit: χ2(d.f.)=380 (49), p<0.0001; SRMR=0.023; RMSEA=0.077; CFI=0.993; TLI=0.990. Test-retest reliability was moderate (weighted kappa ranging from 0.36 to 0.52). The results suggest that the PSSMS has acceptable psychometric properties for use with university students.

Evidências de validade da Escala Multidimensional de Suporte Social Percebido (EMSSP) em universitários

Resumo O apoio social se refere aos recursos sociais percebidos como disponíveis à pessoa e tem sido fortemente associado a desfechos em saúde física e mental. O estudo atual objetivou avaliar a consistência interna, a validação de construto e a confiabilidade teste-reteste da Escala Multidimensional de Suporte Social Percebido (EMSSP) em universitários do Centro Oeste brasileiro. As análises fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória foram realizadas com duas amostras aleatórias e independentes, ambas de 1.147 universitários da área da saúde. O estudo teste-reteste foi realizado com uma amostra de 347 estudantes de medicina e duas coletas com intervalo de 14 dias entre elas. A melhor solução foi com três fatores: família, amigos, e outros significativos, os quais apreesentaram cargas fatoriais variando entre 0,767 a 0,950 e consistência interna elevada (alfa de Cronbach de 0,96, 0,97 e 0,97, respectivamente). O ajustamento para essa solução foi adequado (χ2(g.l.)=380 (49), p<0,001; SRMR: 0,023; RMSEA: 0,077; CFI: 0,993; TLI: 0,990). A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi moderada (Kappa ponderado variando de 0,36 a 0,52). Os resultados sugerem que a EMSSP possui propriedades psicométricas aceitáveis para seu uso com universitários.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among rural widows in Nsukka: risk factors and wellbeing domains

Losing a spouse to death is recognized as the most adverse life event that may increase the risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychopathology with studies demonstrating that widows experienced more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than their non-widowed counterparts. Although the adverse effect of post-traumatic stress disorder may be stronger for widows in rural areas, the existing literature has shown the need for greater research on post-traumatic stress disorder experiences among vulnerable Igbo rural widows in Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria. Against this backdrop, this study examined factors that predict post-traumatic stress disorder and the effect of post-traumatic stress disorder on the wellbeing domains of Igbo rural widows. Among the 177 participants, partner intimacy (β = .300, p < .001), cause of husband’s death (sudden vs. anticipated) (β = .183, p < .01), perceived social support (β = –.300, p < .001), number of surviving children at the time of husband’s death (β = .210, p < .01), and age of last child as at the time of husband’s death (β = .355, p < .01) all significantly predicted post-traumatic stress disorder. Domains of wellbeing most negatively affected by post-traumatic stress disorder included general life satisfaction (66.10%), family relationship (62.71%), and overall functioning (61.02%). The findings suggest that post-traumatic stress disorder among Igbo rural widows is a serious health concern that requires mental health professionals identifying high-risk rural widows early for intervention and developing programs aimed at educating and training rural community members on post-traumatic stress disorder and where to seek help on onset.

Measurement Invariance of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among Chinese and South Asian Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Hong Kong

Seven hundred adolescents (Chinese = 50%; South Asian ethnic minority = 50%) with mean age of 15.3 years (SD = 1.53). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess measurement invariance of the MSPSS scale across Chinese and South Asian ethnic minority samples. Results show that the original three-factor structure of the MSPSS was supported in both samples. Measurement invariance was supported in terms of configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance. Given partial scalar invariance was achieved, the latent mean differences were compared across samples. Chinese adolescents had higher levels of all three types of social support when compared with their South Asian ethnic minority counterparts. The present study attempts to assess the measurement invariance of the MSPSS across ethnic groups in Asian society, which sheds light on future research that involves perceived social support among adolescents in Chinese culture contexts.

Practice of stress management behaviors and associated factors among undergraduate students of Mekelle University, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Stress is one of the top five threats to academic performance among college students globally. Consequently, students decrease in academic performance, learning ability and retention. However, no study has assessed the practice of stress management behaviors and associated factors among college students in Ethiopia. So the purpose of this study was to assess the practice of stress management behaviors and associated factors among undergraduate university students at Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2019.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 633 study participants at Mekelle University from November 2018 to July 2019. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the association between the independent variable and the outcome variable at p < 0.25 significance level. Significant variables were selected for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that the practice of stress management behaviors among undergraduate Mekelle university students was found as 367(58%) poor and 266(42%) good. The study also indicated that sex, year of education, monthly income, self-efficacy status, and social support status were significant predictors of stress management behaviors of college students.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the majority of the students had poor practice of stress management behaviors.

Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Indonesian adolescent disaster survivors: A psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND

Social support plays an important role in adolescents' mental health and well-being, and even more so for disaster survivors. To measure the level of social support, one needs an appropriate tool to produce valid and reliable results; therefore, we aimed to measure the invariance across gender groups, and analyze the construct validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), a social support measurement tool which was theoretically constructed and has been well validated in many countries with various cultures and backgrounds.

METHODS

A school-based assessment was conducted in junior and senior high schools in a post-disaster setting in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. We analyzed 299 adolescent survivors of a volcanic eruption, aged 12~18 years who completed a 12-item Indonesian version of the MSPSS.

RESULTS

The factorial validity confirmed the three-factor structure of the scale (Family, Friends, and Significant Others) which met all of the criteria of parameter indices and provided evidence of high internal consistency reliability. The three-level measurement of invariance, which consisted of configural, metric, and scalar invariance, also performed very well across gender groups with our data and corresponded to the recommended parameters. Our composite reliability values were all fine (>0.7) and indicated that the items in the same construct were strongly correlated and reliable.

CONCLUSIONS

The Indonesian version of the MSPSS was shown to be a valid, reliable, theoretically constructed, and applicable instrument for adolescent disaster survivors.

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the cross-cultural translations and adaptations of the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS)

BACKGROUND

Social support (SS) has been identified as an essential buffer to stressful life events. Consequently, there has been a surge in the evaluation of SS as a wellbeing indicator. The Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) has evolved as one of the most extensively translated and validated social support outcome measures. Due to linguistic and cultural differences, there is need to test the psychometrics of the adapted versions. However, there is a paucity of systematic evidence of the psychometrics of adapted and translated versions of the MSPSS across settings.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the psychometric properties of the MSPSS for non-English speaking populations by conducting a systematic review of studies that examine the psychometric properties of non-English versions of the MSPSS.

METHODS

We searched Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, for articles published in English on the translation and or validation of the MSPSS. Methodological quality and quality of psychometric properties of the retrieved translations were assessed using the COSMIN checklist and a validated quality assessment criterion, respectively. The two assessments were combined to produce the best level of evidence per language/translation.

RESULTS

Seventy articles evaluating the MSPSS in 22 languages were retrieved. Most translations [16/22] were not rigorously translated (only solitary backward-forward translations were performed, reconciliation was poorly described, or were not pretested). There was poor evidence for structural validity, as confirmatory factor analysis was performed in only nine studies. Internal consistency was reported in all studies. Most attained a Cronbach's alpha of at least 0.70 against a backdrop of fair methodological quality. There was poor evidence for construct validity.

CONCLUSION

There is limited evidence supporting the psychometric robustness of the translated versions of the MSPSS, and given the variability, the individual psychometrics of a translation must be considered prior to use. Responsiveness, measurement error and cut-off values should also be assessed to increase the clinical utility and psychometric robustness of the translated versions of the MSPSS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO - CRD42016052394.

EFFECT OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT ON THE LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Purpose:

of this study was to explore the effect of social support on the levels of anxiety and depression of hemodialysis patients.

Material and Methods:

258 patients undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled. A questionnaire developed for the purpose of the study was used to collect data through the interview process. Apart from socio-demographic, clinical and other characteristics, the questionnaire also included the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to assess social support from significant others, family and friends, and the questionnaire Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) to assess the levels of anxiety and depression of patients.

Results:

53,9% of the participants were male while 34,1% of the participants were >70 years old. 32,9% and 30,2% of the participants felt high levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. Analysis of data showed a statistically significant association between anxiety/depression and social support from significant others, family and friends (p=<0,001 for all associations). In particular, patients with high levels of anxiety and depression felt less support from their significant others, family and friends. The multinomial logistic regression, showed a statistically significant effect of social support from friends in anxiety levels (p=0,004). An one point increase of the support from friends seems to reduce by 57% the probability of having high levels of anxiety. In addition, statistically significant effect of social support from significant others, family and friends was observed on the levels of depression (p=<0,001, p=0,001 & p=0,003, respectively). Specifically, an one point increase of the support from significant others, family and friends it was found to reduce by 77%, 71% and 56% respectively the probability of experiencing high levels of depression.

Conclusions:

Phyco-social evaluation is essential when providing holistic care to hemodialysis patients.

Facebook habits among adolescents

Facebook is the most popular social network in most nations and in Turkey. It is argued that it can involve insecure behavior in adolescents. Teenagers in Turkey are to receive tablet computers nationwide through the FATIH project. Personal availability is likely to impact Internet and Facebook habits. Also, with lack of social support, teens might more intensely engage in Facebook. This study identifies teens who are more likely to perform less secure Facebook activities. A survey was conducted on 4,261 middle and high school students in Turkey. Logistic regressions were run to predict the likelihood of Facebook-related behaviors. Results showed that teens who perceive support from significant others, males, metropolitans, and teens who have more tablet computer opportunities, competencies and beliefs were more likely to engage in risky activities. Family support significantly reduced the likelihood of risky behaviors. Results call for promoting family support and monitoring tablet computer habits. Teens should be educated about social network threats and privacy.

Factors Affecting Depression During Pregnancy and the Correlation Between Social Support and Pregnancy Depression

BACKGROUND

Women are seriously subjected to psychiatric diseases during pregnancy and depression is the most prevailing one among these diseases. There is a relation between the social support and depression in pregnancy whose predisposing factors are genetic, psychological, biological, environmental, and hormonal.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the frequency of depression symptoms, and its risk factors. Also it studied the correlation between social support and pregnancy depression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. It was conducted on 266 pregnant women selected by simple random method from all pregnant women admitted at the Maternity Hospital of Trabzon, Turkey from May 21 to June 13, 2008. The data were collected with a questionnaire form, the Beck depression inventory (BDI), and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS).

RESULTS

The mean BDI score of the pregnant women was 11.12 ± 6.65. According to the BDI, 46.2% of the pregnant women had no depression symptoms, 34.59% of them had mild, 13.91% had moderate, and 4.89% had severe level of depression symptoms. It was found that such factors as the educational level of the pregnant women and their husbands, having an undesired pregnancy, suffering from a chronic disease before pregnancy, presence of pregnancy-related problems, having a child with disability or having relatives whose children had disability, and smoking during pregnancy were the risk factors affecting the severity of the depression symptoms and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mean MSPSS score was 67.89 ± 14.26 and it was found that the pregnant women got the highest social support from their husbands. It was found that there was a significant correlation between BDI and MSPSS total score and its subscale scores (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to this study, one-fifth of pregnant women were found to experience depressive symptoms, which require treatment during pregnancy, and the factors such as having no support from relatives was found to be associated with the severity of depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

The Impact of Kt/V Urea-Based Dialysis Adequacy on Quality of Life and Adherence in Haemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

There is clear evidence of a link between dialysis adequacy (as measured by urea kinetic modeling or urea reduction ratio) and such important clinical outcomes as morbidity and mortality. Evidence regarding the relationship between dialysis adequacy and quality of life (QOL) outcomes as well as adherence is less clear. The present paper is a study protocol which is planning to answer the following research question: what is the impact of dialysis adequacy on QOL and adherence in a sample of hemodialysis patients? The final sample size will be around 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Each subject’s QOL and adherence will be measured using the following instruments: i) the Missoula-VITAS quality of life index 25; ii) the multidimensional scale of perceived social support and iii) the simplified medication adherence questionnaire. Dialysis adequacy is expected to be related to QOL and adherence scores.

Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support for Greece

Recently, there is a surge of interest in the use of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure perceived social support across cultures. The objective of this study was to translate and make the cultural adaptation of the Greek version of the MSPSS. The study counted with a sample of 10 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The process involved the following steps of translation back translation and semantic evaluation. The former revealed good acceptance of the translated version of the instrument, which participants considered having items of easy understanding. After completing the process of validation in the country, the instrument will become available to Greek researchers to measure social support, as well as to compare results from Greece to that of other cultures in which the instrument has already been validated.

Multidimensional scale of perceived social support in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Social support is a very important aspect of debilitating diseases. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disabling disease that impairs a patient's quality of life and affects a patient's environment. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is used to measure the perception of the sufficiency of social support for individuals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of the MSPSS to the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), age and gender in patients with OSAS. In this study, 183 subjects with a diagnosis of OSAS were enrolled. Patients were evaluated with the MSPSS in terms of age, gender and polysomnography results. According to the results of this study, the MSPSS has found to be higher in men than in women with OSAS and higher in moderate-severe OSAS than in mild OSAS. The MSPSS can be an important indicator of how patients cope with the disease.

Assessment of Burn-Out and Quality of Life in Nursing Professionals: The Contribution of Perceived Social Support

Burnout has received increased research attention in recent years. The aim of the present study is to examine levels of burnout as well as quality of life (QOL) in nursing staff in Greece. The association of social support with burnout and QOL is also investigated. One-hundred individuals working in Mental and General Hospitals in the broader area of Athens will participate in this study. The measurement tools include i) the Maslach Burnout Inventory, ii) the SF-36 Health Survey and iii) the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Burnout and QOL are expected to be related to the evaluation of social environment.

A revised Thai Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

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.

Effective treatment of perinatal depression for women in debt and lacking financial empowerment in a low-income country

BACKGROUND

Poverty may moderate the effect of treatment of depression in low-income countries.

AIMS

To assess poverty and lack of empowerment as moderators of a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)-based intervention for perinatal depression in rural Pakistan.

METHOD

Using secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial (trial registration: ISRCTN65316374) we identified predictors of depression at 1-year follow-up and moderators of the intervention (n = 791).

RESULTS

Predictors of follow-up depression included household debt, the participant not being empowered to manage household finance and the interaction terms for these variables with the trial arm. Effect sizes for women with and without household debt were 0.80 and 0.55 respectively. The effect size for women in debt and not empowered financially was 0.94 compared with 0.50 for women with neither of these factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the importance of household debt and lack of financial empowerment of women as important maintaining factors of depression in low-income countries and our locally developed intervention tackled these problems successfully.

Social stress and depression during pregnancy and in the postnatal period in British Pakistani mothers: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Depressive disorders are common and disabling among perinatal women. The rates are high in ethnic minority groups. The causes are not known in British Pakistani women. The aim of this study was to estimate the rates, correlates and maintaining factors of perinatal depression in a Pakistani sample in UK. The design used was a cross-sectional two phase population based survey with a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

All women in 3rd trimester attending antenatal clinic were screened with the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Women scoring 12 or more on EPDS and a random sample of low scorers were interviewed using the Schedules for Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) and the Life Events and Difficulties schedule (LEDS). Social support was assessed with the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). They were reassessed 6 months after the delivery using the same measures.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of depression was 16.8%. Depressed mothers had more marked non health difficulties (housing, financial and marital). They had less social support and were socially isolated. Marked social isolation and marked non-health related difficulties were independent predictors of depression. Analyses of all the possible risk factors, comparing 26 persistent depressed with 27 depression resolved group showed significant differences in the MSPSS subscales between the two groups.

LIMITATIONS

The study lacked inter-rater reliability testing between the individuals carrying out diagnostic interviews. The study sample did not accurately represent the general population and information about the origins of depression in this group of mothers was limited.

CONCLUSION

Depression in British Pakistani mothers is associated with social isolation, poor social support and severe and persistent social difficulties. The findings will have implications in planning suitable services for this group.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in patients with schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

Social support promotes community adaptation of patients with mental illness by facilitating coping and competence. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a widely used measure of perceived social support that investigates 3 domains of support, from significant other, family, and friends. This study was conducted to provide evidence of the reliability and construct validity of the MSPSS in an adult Asian population with schizophrenia.

METHODS

The MSPSS was self-rated by patients with schizophrenia. Reliability was determined using Cronbach α for internal consistency, and preliminary construct was examined using exploratory factor analysis (using principal component with varimax rotation). Four a priori hypothesized models were tested via confirmatory factor analysis: first-order 2-factor (2 models), and first-order and higher order 3-factor models, using 5 goodness-of-fit indices.

RESULTS

Internal reliability was high (Cronbach α of .90, .90, and .91 for support from significant others, family and friends, respectively) for the MSPSS. Exploratory factor analysis on the 12-item measure indicated 3-factor solution that supported the 3 theoretical dimensions of the MSPSS. The indices of goodness of fit confirmed the first-order and higher-order 3-factor confirmatory models of MSPSS by providing the best fit in this sample.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate high internal consistency and construct validity of MSPSS in outpatients with schizophrenia, making it appropriate for assessing the perceived social support in this population.

Perceived Social Support and Facebook Use Among Adolescents

Online social networks have gained considerable popularity among adolescents, but investigations on adolescent engagement with this technology have been limited. The current study investigated adolescents’ Facebook use with regard to their perceived social support characteristics. The data were collected from 255 adolescents in two provincial state schools in Turkey. A personal information form and 12 scaled items were used to collect data. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on scale items and relationships between social support and Facebook use behaviors were investigated. Findings revealed that perceived social support from significant others were predicted by the time spent on Facebook. More support from actual face-to-face friends meant fewer online friends whereas more support from significant others meant more online friends. Profile and security settings varied with regard to perceived social support as well. Regardless of socioeconomic status, less family support was related with adding unknown people haphazardly, and using Internet cafés. Finally, less friend support was related with resorting to nicknames rather than real names. Findings are discussed accompanied with limitations of the current study and suggestions for further research.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and social support in elder patients

Social support is a very important aspect in debilitating diseases. OSAS is a disabling disease that impairs social functioning and accounts for a large socio-economic burden for the community. In this study our aim is to investigate social support levels among OSAS patients: 85 of them with the diagnosis of OSAS were enrolled in the study. Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is used to measure the perception of individuals' social support sufficiency. In contrast to many studies, we found that social support levels of elder patients were higher than the young ones and family subscale was significantly higher. It might be both due to Turkish family structure that the grands are in close relationship with the other family members and the adverse effects of the disease which have more negative impact on young patients' life. In conclusion, social support is an important aspect in OSAS patients. The interventions for the enhancement of social support could lead to substantial cost-savings, reduce morbidity, and increase well-being.

The association between individual attachment patterns, the perceived social support, and the psychological well-being of Turkish informal caregivers

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the relations among the psychological well-being (i.e. depression and state/trait anxiety levels), attachment patterns (i.e. secure, ambivalent, avoidant), and the perceived social support from family/friends/significant others of caregivers of cancer patients in Turkey.

METHODS

Fifty-one caregivers of adult cancer patients were recruited from the oncology outpatient clinic of the Marmara Medical School Hospital in Istanbul. Caregivers were assessed with the Adult Attachment Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, State-trait Anxiety Inventories, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

RESULTS

Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that depression was predicted by ambivalent attachment and the perceived social support from family. The support from significant others was the significant predictor of trait anxiety and the caregivers' ambivalent attachment score was the significant predictor of state anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

We assert that ambivalent attachment pattern could confer a vulnerability to psychological distress in cancer caregivers. Assessing the psychological experiences and needs of caregivers and being aware of possible risk factors (such as attachment patterns) and protective factors (social support network) for depression and anxiety might be helpful for successful programmes and interventions that support the caregivers of cancer patients.

Who helps you? Self and other sources of support among youth in Japan and the USA

Japanese and U.S. sixth, eighth, and tenth graders ( N = 2141) responded to questionnaires asking whom they depended on in six contexts of need. These contexts were: morning awakening, physical illness, emotional upset, help with homework, causing a problem, and guidance in extracurricular activities. Findings indicated that, relative to culture, contextual effects exerted an equally if not more powerful effect on students' responses. In line with traditional cross-national theorizing, U.S. youth were, overall, more self-reliant than their Japanese peers. In contrast to such theorizing, U.S. students were more interdependent with family, and Japanese students were more interdependent with peers, than their counterparts in the other country. Furthermore, both Japanese and U.S. youth showed similar age-related decreases in interdependence with family and increases in interdependence with peers. Results are discussed in terms of active dyadic help-seeking versus conceptualized notions of social identity, and recent theories of development, culture, and the self.

Psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in youth

INTRODUCTION

There is increasing awareness of the contribution of perceived social support (PSS) to emotional and physical well-being. Numerous scales measuring PSS have been developed, including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The psychometric properties of the MSPSS have been demonstrated in diverse samples, although its reproducibility in the South African youth has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the MSPSS in the South African youth using confirmatory factor analysis. The relationship of PSS to depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as the effects of sex and ethnicity, was investigated. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures, including the MSPSS, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist on a single occasion. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to validate the a priori factor structure of the MSPSS. In addition, Cronbach alpha coefficients and intercorrelations (for clinical variables) were calculated. A missing value analysis was performed to assess the influence of missing data on our findings.

RESULTS

Data are reported for 502 youth (11.3-23.5 years). The 3-factor structure of the MSPSS (significant other, family, and friends) fitted the data well. The MSPSS showed good internal consistency. Perceived social support was also positively correlated with resilience and negatively correlated with depression, exposure to community violence, and other potentially life-threatening traumas. Females and youth of white or mixed race reported significantly higher levels of PSS than males and black youth, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSPSS is a psychometrically sound instrument that can be applied to South African youth.

Prevalence and social correlates of postnatal depression in a low income country

BACKGROUND

Postnatal depression is an important public health problem worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that rates may be relatively higher in developing countries. We aimed to explore the prevalence of postnatal depression and its association with social support and other risk factors in a sample of Pakistani women.

METHODS

Population-based survey of 149 women at 12 weeks postnatal using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ).

RESULTS

Thirty six percent women scored > or =12 on EPDS. High depression score was associated with lower social support, increased stressful life events in the preceding year and higher levels of psychological distress in the antenatal period.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of postnatal depression in Pakistani women. Early interventions should be developed that target the antenatal period and strengthen social support networks in women at risk.

Development of work stress scale for correctional officers

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of Work Stress Scale for Correctional Officers (WSSCO).

METHODS

One hundred nineteen correctional officers (109 males and 10 females) employed in Turkey participated in this study. In addition to WSSCO, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were administered to the participants.

RESULTS

The internal consistencies and the item-total correlations were acceptable both for the whole scale and for its subscales; namely, "work overload," "role conflict and role ambiguity," "inadequacies in physical conditions of prison," "threat perception," and "general problems." Test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.77 for total scale, and test-retest reliability coefficients ranged between 0.68 and 0.78 for the subscales. The total scale and most of the subscales were positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, and negatively correlated with perceived social support. Furthermore, all subscales significantly differentiated high depressive symptomatology group from the low depressive symptomatology group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results revealed that the psychometric properties of WSSCO were quite adequate. The scale can provide a potentially useful tool for research on job stress in correctional officers.

Only limited support for a role of psychosomatic factors in psoriasis. Results from a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of stressful events, social support, attachment security and alexithymia in triggering or exacerbating psoriasis.

METHODS

Outpatients experiencing a recent onset or exacerbation of psoriasis (n=40) were compared with outpatients with skin conditions in which psychosomatic factors are regarded as negligible (n=116). Stressful events during the last year were assessed with Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events. Attachment style, alexithymia and perceived social support were assessed with the ECR questionnaire, the TAS-20 and the MSPSS, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean number of recently experienced life events, or of undesirable, uncontrollable or major events was not different between psoriatic patients and controls. The only stress measure that showed a slight trend towards an association with psoriasis was having experienced four or more stressful events in the preceding year. There was a statistical trend towards an association between alexithymia and psoriasis, whereas there were no significant differences between patients with psoriasis and controls with respect to perceived social support and attachment security. Subgroup analysis suggested that the role of all psychosomatic factors studied might be more important in certain clinical types, such as guttate and diffuse plaque psoriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide only limited support for a role of psychosomatic factors in psoriasis. Future studies should investigate chronic and daily stressors in addition to major life events, include measures of stress appraisal and include specifically patients with a recent onset of disease.

Psychosomatic factors in first-onset alopecia areata

Although the onset of alopecia areata has often been anecdotally linked with emotional stress, findings from the few controlled studies have not been univocal. The authors compared outpatients experiencing a recent onset of alopecia areata (N=21) with outpatients affected by skin conditions commonly believed as having a low psychosomatic component (N=102). Participants were administered Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events, the Experiences in Close Relationships scale, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for age and gender. The total number of recent life events (last 12 months) was not different between the alopecia patients and the comparison subjects. Also, the alopecia patients and the comparison subjects did not differ in terms of the number of undesirable or major events. The comparison subjects even experienced a greater number of uncontrollable events. Alopecia areata tended to be associated with high avoidance in attachment relationships, high alexithymic characteristics, and poor social support. The results suggest that personality characteristics might modulate individual susceptibility to alopecia areata.

Stressful life events, social support, attachment security and alexithymia in vitiligo. A case-control study

BACKGROUND

It has often been suggested that stress might trigger vitiligo. However, only one study supported this hypothesis, and no study explored the role of other personality or social factors.

METHODS

Out-patients experiencing a recent onset or exacerbation of vitiligo (n = 31) were compared with out-patients with skin conditions in which psychosomatic factors are commonly were regarded as negligible (n = 116). Stressful events during the last 12 months were assessed with Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events. Attachment style, alexithymia and social support were assessed with the 'Experiences in Close Relationships' questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively.

RESULTS

Cases and controls did not differ regarding the total number of events and the number of undesirable, uncontrollable or major events. Three or more uncontrollable events had occurred more frequently among cases than controls. Perceived social support was lower in cases than in controls. Cases scored higher than controls on anxious attachment, tended towards higher scores on avoidant attachment and were classified more often as insecure. Cases scored higher than controls on the TAS-20 and were classified more often as alexithymic or borderline alexithymic. The occurrence of many uncontrollable events, alexithymia and anxious attachment were associated with vitiligo also in multiple logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that vulnerability to vitiligo is not increased by stressful events, except for many uncontrollable events. Alexithymia, insecure attachment and poor social support appear to increase susceptibility to vitiligo, possibly through deficits in emotion regulation or reduced ability to cope effectively with stress.