Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Resilience—a complex phenomenon embracing a number of factors on various levels—seems to be a most important skill to survive this vulnerable phase. One major factor is the perceived social support during adolescence. Recognizing gaps in perceived social sup...

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Main Authors: Vasiliki Efthymiou, George P. Chrousos, Kalliopi Kounenou, Antonios Kalamatianos, Christos Pezirkianidis, Markos Korelopoulos, Charikleia Stefanaki, Ntina Kourmousi
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/706
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author Vasiliki Efthymiou
George P. Chrousos
Kalliopi Kounenou
Antonios Kalamatianos
Christos Pezirkianidis
Markos Korelopoulos
Charikleia Stefanaki
Ntina Kourmousi
author_facet Vasiliki Efthymiou
George P. Chrousos
Kalliopi Kounenou
Antonios Kalamatianos
Christos Pezirkianidis
Markos Korelopoulos
Charikleia Stefanaki
Ntina Kourmousi
author_sort Vasiliki Efthymiou
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Resilience—a complex phenomenon embracing a number of factors on various levels—seems to be a most important skill to survive this vulnerable phase. One major factor is the perceived social support during adolescence. Recognizing gaps in perceived social support may lead to prevention of serious social and medical problems, including juvenile delinquency and stress-related diseases. Screening questionnaires to identify the gaps in perceived social support in Greek adolescents are lacking. The purpose of this study was to validate a Greek version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), a self-report scale of perceived social support of the family, significant others, and friends. <b>Methods</b>: The MSPSS was translated into Greek and was administered to students of 15 to 18 years of age from several areas of Greece. Psychometric properties of the MSPSS tool were investigated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), using principal component analysis with the Varimax Rotation Method. For Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) were used. <b>Results</b>: A total of 999 students completed the MSPSS anonymously. The Greek version of the MSPSS scale exhibited large internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.932, McDonald’s Omega of 0.926). Three of the factors explained 80.80% of total variance. <b>Conclusions</b>: The Greek adaptation of the MSPSS is a valid instrument, and professionals can apply it as a screening tool for perceived social support in adolescents.
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spelling doaj-art-2c6b39a6f31c452bb7bdf253a95f08222025-08-20T03:27:06ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-05-0112670610.3390/children12060706Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School StudentsVasiliki Efthymiou0George P. Chrousos1Kalliopi Kounenou2Antonios Kalamatianos3Christos Pezirkianidis4Markos Korelopoulos5Charikleia Stefanaki6Ntina Kourmousi7Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, GreeceCenter for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Education, School of Pedagogical & Technological Education, 15122 Marousi, GreeceDepartment of Education, School of Education, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, CyprusLaboratory of Positive Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, 17671 Athens, GreeceMinistry of Education, Experimental School of University of Athens, 10673 Athens, GreeceCenter for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Education, School of Pedagogical & Technological Education, 15122 Marousi, Greece<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Resilience—a complex phenomenon embracing a number of factors on various levels—seems to be a most important skill to survive this vulnerable phase. One major factor is the perceived social support during adolescence. Recognizing gaps in perceived social support may lead to prevention of serious social and medical problems, including juvenile delinquency and stress-related diseases. Screening questionnaires to identify the gaps in perceived social support in Greek adolescents are lacking. The purpose of this study was to validate a Greek version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), a self-report scale of perceived social support of the family, significant others, and friends. <b>Methods</b>: The MSPSS was translated into Greek and was administered to students of 15 to 18 years of age from several areas of Greece. Psychometric properties of the MSPSS tool were investigated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), using principal component analysis with the Varimax Rotation Method. For Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) were used. <b>Results</b>: A total of 999 students completed the MSPSS anonymously. The Greek version of the MSPSS scale exhibited large internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.932, McDonald’s Omega of 0.926). Three of the factors explained 80.80% of total variance. <b>Conclusions</b>: The Greek adaptation of the MSPSS is a valid instrument, and professionals can apply it as a screening tool for perceived social support in adolescents.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/706social supportadolescencefamilysignificant othersfriends
spellingShingle Vasiliki Efthymiou
George P. Chrousos
Kalliopi Kounenou
Antonios Kalamatianos
Christos Pezirkianidis
Markos Korelopoulos
Charikleia Stefanaki
Ntina Kourmousi
Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
Children
social support
adolescence
family
significant others
friends
title Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
title_full Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
title_fullStr Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
title_full_unstemmed Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
title_short Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in Greek Secondary School Students
title_sort validity and reliability of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support mspss in greek secondary school students
topic social support
adolescence
family
significant others
friends
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/706
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