A factorial analysis of a compound measure of social support.

A confirmatory factor analysis of an internally consistent compound measure of social support is presented for a volunteer sample of 740 low-income, predominantly single, young mothers. Five factors with eigen values greater than one emerged and accounted for 55% of the variance. The convergent validity of the empirically identified factors of estrangement, confidant, short-term help, support/encouragement, and crisis intervention was explored through intercorrelations with five variables theoretically related to family and child well being. Level of depressive symptomology correlated most significantly and consistently with low levels of social support. The results of the analysis are discussed in light of previous psychometric analyses of comparable measure of social support and what is known of the coping response of young mothers to stress.