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Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey Instrument in a sample of Spanish older adults

European Journal of Ageing volume 19, pages 143–154 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the factor structure of the MOS-SSS in a sample of community-dwelling Spanish older adults. The sample comprised 406 community-dwelling older adults aged between 65 to 99 years old (Mage = 74.88, SD = 6.75). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed, and four possible models were compared: the one-factor, the three-factor, the four-factor and the five-factor model, using an additional analysis with a second-order factor. The internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the scale were also assessed. For the 19-item MOS-SSS scale, the five-factor model had the best fit to the data. All five subscales of the MOS-SSS showed adequate internal consistency, good convergent and discriminant validity. These findings contribute to the literature on the factor structure of the MOS-SSS in Spanish older adults. The MOS-SSS is a reliable and valid scale that can be used to assess Spanish older adults’ social support perception for social services, health and in research contexts.

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Funding

Funding was provided by the Secretaría General de Universidades Investigación y Tecnología de la Junta de Andalucía (call 2009-BOJA 47 10.03.2009) and the European Social Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Cristina G. Dumitrache, Laura Rubio & José Luis Cabezas Casado

  2. Department of Business and Management, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Eulogio Cordón-Pozo

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  1. Cristina G. Dumitrache
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  2. Laura Rubio
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  3. José Luis Cabezas Casado
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  4. Eulogio Cordón-Pozo
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Correspondence to Cristina G. Dumitrache.

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Dumitrache, C.G., Rubio, L., Cabezas Casado, J.L. et al. Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey Instrument in a sample of Spanish older adults. Eur J Ageing 19, 143–154 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00612-y

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Keywords

  • Social support
  • Older adults
  • Factor structure
  • Confirmatory factor analysis