Development and validation of a brief three-item form of the perceived social support questionnaire (F-SozU K-3)

• Julia Petersen ^[1] ; Anna C. Reinwarth ^[1] ; Manfred E. Beutel ^[1] ; Elmar Brähler ^[1] ; Oliver Decker ^[2]
  1. [1] University Medical Center

     University Medical Center

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] University of Leipzig

     University of Leipzig

     Kreisfreie Stadt Leipzig, Alemania

     
• Localización: International journal of clinical and health psychology, ISSN 1697-2600, Vol. 24, Nº. 3, 2024, págs. 201-210
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Objective The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a brief screening instrument (F-SozU K-3) for the measurement of perceived social support in large scale surveys by shortening a well-established German questionnaire (F-SozU K-6).

    Method First, a brief three-item version of the F-SozU was developed based on a representative sample of N = 2482 respondents using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Second, the newly developed brief three-item questionnaire was evaluated and standardized in an independent second representative population sample (N = 2501).

    Results A suitable three-item solution with a good internal consistency (α = 0.89, ω = 0.89) was identified. Full invariance across sex and partnership was established. Construct validity of the brief three-item form was established. Younger age, female sex, partnership status, and current employment were positively associated with higher social support scores. Norm values for the general sample and separately for sex and partnership status were reported.

    Conclusions The newly developed F-SozU K-3 is a reliable and valid screening instrument. It can be used as an economical alternative to previous longer instruments, especially in large scale surveys.