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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

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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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