Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS): Thai version

• Main Authors: Wongpakaran,T., Wongpakaran,N., Ruktrakul,R.
• Format: Article
• Published: Bentham Science Publishers B.V. 2015
• Subjects: Epidemiology; Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84859891829&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/38205
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

This study examines the Thai version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for its psychometric properties. Methods: In total 462 participants were recruited - 310 medical students from Chiang Mai University and 152 psychiatric patients, and they completed the Thai version of the MSPSS, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Thai Depression Inventory (TDI). Test-retest reliability was conducted over a four week period. Results: Factor analysis produced three-factor solutions for both patient (PG) and student groups (SG), and overall the model demonstrated adequate fit indices. The mean total score and the sub-scale score for the SG were statistically higher than those in the PG, except for 'Significant Others'. The internal consistency of the scale was good, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.91 for the SG and 0.87 for the PG. After a four week retest for reliability exercise, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.84. The Thai-MSPSS was found to have a negative correlation with the STAI and the TDI, but was positively correlated with the RSES. Conclusion: The Thai MSPSS is a reliable and valid instrument to use. © Wongpakaran et al.