Wu Yunchou, Tang Jingqi, Du Zhuoran, Chen Ke, Wang Fei, Sun Xiaonan, Zhang Guoying, Wu Yibo
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jan 20;25(1):232. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21399-y.
Despite the relatively small number of items on the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS-12), there has been a trend toward simplification of the scale in order to minimize testing time. In this situation, some researchers based on the responses of military spouses in the U.S., has simplified the PSSS-12 to develop the PSSS-M6. This study aimed to develop a short version of the PSSS-12 suitable for the Chinese general population.
A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was employed to collect data from 10,914 residents in 120 cities across the country. After randomly dividing the data into two parts, exploratory analysis and confirmatory analysis were conducted separately. During the exploratory analysis of dataset 1, the scale was simplified using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), resulting in one short form for each approach. Additionally, three short forms were obtained by introducing other short forms of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) scale derived from multidimensional item response theory in previous studies. The reliability and discriminant validity of the three short forms were tested. Subsequently, the reliability, validity, model fit and measurement invariance for the two short forms of the MSPSS scale were examined using dataset 2.
The 6-item short form developed based on the ACO (PSSS-A6) exhibited the best psychometric properties among all the short forms. Moreover, the 3-item short form composed of items with the highest factor loadings in each dimension also demonstrated good psychometric properties.
In future research, if a short form of the MSPSS scale is needed for measurement purposes, the 3-item short form is suitable for clinical settings, large-scale cross-sectional studies, or longitudinal studies, while the PSSS-A6 is more appropriate for more precise measurements.
This study underwent ethical review (JNUKY-2021-018) by Jinan University.
尽管感知社会支持量表（PSSS - 12）的条目数量相对较少，但为了尽量缩短测试时间，该量表一直存在简化的趋势。在这种情况下，一些研究人员基于美国军人家属的回答，对PSSS - 12进行了简化，开发出了PSSS - M6。本研究旨在开发一个适用于中国普通人群的PSSS - 12简版。
采用多阶段分层整群抽样方法，从全国120个城市的10914名居民中收集数据。将数据随机分为两部分后，分别进行探索性分析和验证性分析。在数据集1的探索性分析过程中，使用经典测试理论（CTT）和蚁群优化算法（ACO）对量表进行简化，每种方法都得到了一个简版。此外，通过引入先前研究中基于多维项目反应理论得出的多维感知社会支持量表（MSPSS）的其他简版，又得到了三个简版。对这三个简版的信度和区分效度进行了检验。随后，使用数据集2对MSPSS量表的两个简版的信度、效度、模型拟合度和测量不变性进行了检验。
基于ACO开发的6条目简版（PSSS - A6）在所有简版中表现出最佳的心理测量学特性。此外，由每个维度中因子载荷最高的项目组成的3条目简版也表现出良好的心理测量学特性。
在未来的研究中，如果出于测量目的需要MSPSS量表的简版，3条目简版适用于临床环境、大规模横断面研究或纵向研究，而PSSS - A6更适合进行更精确的测量。
本研究经过了暨南大学的伦理审查（JNUKY - 2021 - 018）。
