Summary and Conclusions
Cohen and Syme (1985) suggested that the most methodologically sound way of assessing the stress-buffering properties of different functional support dimensions is through the introduction of experimental manipulations designed to elicit needs for specific support resources, and we agree. Of course, such tests are feasible only to the extent that it is possible to separate the support dimensions empirically. The results reported here indicate that despite considerable covariation among the latent variables corresponding to the four ISEL subscales, covariation that most likely represents the influence of a general second-order support factor, there is also evidence that the four subscales provide sufficient unique information to warrant their retention in the ISEL.
From a practical standpoint, this means that researchers using the college version of the ISEL should follow Cohen and Hoberman's (1983) precedent of analyzing both individual subscale scoresand the total support score. In the meantime, improvements in the distributional properties of the individual ISEL items, perhaps through the four-point item response format adopted recently by Cohen and his colleagues, should lead to more refined measurement of the functional support dimensions represented in the ISEL subscales and, subsequently, to more sensitive analyses of the stress-buffering mechanisms associated with different support resources.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures.Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588–606.
Cattell, R. B. (1956). Validation and intensification of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 12, 205–214.
Cliff, N. (1983). Some cautions concerning the application of causal modeling methods.Multivariate Behavioral Research, 18, 115–126.
Cohen, S., & Hoberman, H. M. (1983). Positive events and social supports as buffers of life change stress.Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 13, 99–125.
Cohen, S., Mermelstein, R., Kamarck, T., & Hoberman, H. M. (1985). Measuring the functional components of social support. In I. G. Sarason & B. R. Sarason (Eds.),Social support: Theory, research, and applications (pp. 73–94). The Hague, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff.
Cohen, S., & Syme, S. L. (1985). Issues in the study and application of social support. In S. Cohen & S. L. Syme (Eds.),Social support and health (pp. 3–22). New York: Academic Press.
Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis.Psychological Bulletin, 98, 310–357.
Comrey, A. (1973).A first course in factor analysis. New York: Academic Press.
Dohrenwend, B. S., & Dohrenwend, B. P. (1981). Life stress and illness: Formulation of the issues. In B. S. Dohrenwend & B. P. Dohrenwend (Eds.),Stressful life events and their contexts (pp. 1–27). New York: Prodist. (Reprinted 1983, New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press)
Dwyer, J. H. (1983).Statistical models for the social and behavioral sciences. New York: Oxford University Press.
Fornell, C. (1983). Issues in the application of covariance structure analysis: A comment.Journal of Consumer Research, 9, 443–447.
Gorsuch, R. L. (1983).Factor analysis (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Gorsuch, R. L., & Yagel, C. (1981).Item factor analysis. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Herring, J. R. (1985). Multiple indicator models using LISREL. In H. M. Blalock (Ed.),Causal models in the social sciences (2nd ed., pp. 263–319). New York: Aldine.
House, J. S. (1981).Work stress and social support. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
House, J. S., & Kahn, R. L. (1985). Measures and concepts of social support. In S. Cohen & S. L. Syme (Eds.),Social support and health (pp. 83–108). New York: Academic Press.
Jackson, D. N., & Chan, D. W. (1980). Maximum-likelihood estimation in common factor analysis: A cautionary note.Psychological Bulletin, 88, 502–508.
Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1984).LISREL VI: Analysis of linear structural relationships by the method of maximum likelihood. Mooresville, IN: Scientific Software.
Marsh, H. W. (1985). The structure of masculinity/femininity: An application of confirmatory factor analysis to higher-order structures and factorial invariance.Multivariate Behavioral Research, 20, 427–449.
Marsh, H. W., & Hocevar, D. (1985). Application of confirmatory factor analysis to the study of self-concept: First- and higher order factor models and their invariance across groups.Psychological Bulletin, 97, 562–582.
Monroe, S. M., & Steiner, S. C. (1986). Social support and psychopathology: Interrelations with preexisting disorder, stress, and personality.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95, 29–39.
Tanaka, J. S., & Huba, G. J. (1984). Confirmatory hierarchical factor analyses of psychological distress measures.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 621–635.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by a faculty research grant from Wittenberg University to the first author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brookings, J.B., Bolton, B. Confirmatory factor analysis of the interpersonal support evaluation list. Am J Commun Psychol 16, 137–147 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00906076
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00906076