Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among University of Ibadan Medical Students

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among University of Ibadan Medical Students | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among University of Ibadan Medical Students Adeniyi Abraham Adesola, David Mobolaji Akoki, Temilola Victoria Aderemi, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 07 May, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Psychology → Version 1 posted 3 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Introduction: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is widely used to measure perceived social support. Despite its extensive application, the scale's psychometric properties have not been tested among Nigerian medical students, who face high levels of psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and factor structure of the MSPSS among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 355 preclinical and clinical medical students from the University of Ibadan. Data were collected through an online questionnaire utilising the MSPSS, which includes three subscales: family, friends, and significant other. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was evaluated through factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess model fit. Results: The MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.927), with subscale reliability for family (α = 0.892), friends (α = 0.927), and significant other (α = 0.927). Factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure consistent with the original MSPSS, explaining 80.3% of the variance. CFA showed strong model fit indices (CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.071). Conclusion: The MSPSS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. The findings highlight the scale’s applicability for identifying students at risk and guiding necessary interventions in medical education. Social support University of Ibadan MSPSS Psychometric properties Nigerian medical students Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction As of 2019, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that 1 in 8 people – 12.5% of the global population – were living with a mental disorder 1 . However, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health found that at least 10% of Nigerians suffer from Common Mental Disorders, while over 25% of older Nigerians have experienced Major Depressive Disorder during their lives. Nigeria’s enormous mental health burden is further worsened by the cultural misrepresentation of psychiatric care, poor health financing, and a paucity of providers due to the nation’s ratio of one psychiatrist per 1 million population 2 . Medical students grapple with a thoroughly tasking, yet lengthy training. In medical school, they are required to deal with academic pressure, financial burdens, social expectations, and clinical rotations under intense conditions while juggling the numerous potential requirements of an increasingly competitive job market 3 . These pressures culminate in mental health challenges, which have been shown to be more severe than those experienced by their peers, with the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) among medical students reaching as high as 44.9%, where a lack of social support is identified as the most significant risk factor 4 . Consistent with their multiple predispositions to mental health challenges, Nigerian medical students are reported to have a 54.5% predisposition to psychological distress and burnout, with psychiatric diagnoses increasing threefold after commencing medical school, requiring a higher level of social support 5 . Social support is defined by the Encyclopaedia of Behavioural Medicine (pg. 389) as “the availability of a variety of social contacts from whom to derive benefits…[including] emotional support, tangible aid, feelings of belonging and emotional support” 6 . This support may consist of the assurance of availability of aid, termed perceived social support, or the actual act of obtaining assistance, termed received support. Both perceived and received support may come from tangible acts, known as practical support, or mental and psychological reinforcement, known as emotional support 6 . High levels of social support have been proven to cushion the negative health outcomes of stress. Perceived family support, especially when present over a long period from childhood, improves an individual’s ability to cope, mitigates psychological distress, improves their health behaviours, and, as a result, their health outcomes 6 . Despite their dire needs, however, medical students are found to have low perceived social support with the specific levels varying by gender, ethnicity, and choice of residence 7 . Social support can be measured using a number of scales: the 2-Way Social Support scale measuring the giving and receiving of emotional and instrumental support 8 , the originally-Chinese 10-item Social Support Rating Scale measuring subjective support, objective support, and support utilisation 9 , 10 , the four-item Social Support Scale measuring the instrumental, informational, appraisal, and emotional dimensions of social support 11 , and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social support (MSPSS) 12 . The MSPSS was developed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods of social support from three distinct sources – family, friends, and significant other –in a simple, timely, and self-explanatory manner 12 . The MSPSS has been translated into numerous languages, including Hausa, a major Nigerian language 13 . Most translations have retained considerable validity as evidenced by a Cronbach’s alpha of at least 0.7 in a systematic review of 22 translations 14 . These translations have been used to assess social support in groups including children, adolescent, and elderly populations, psychiatric and cancer patients as well as their caregivers 15 . In the Nigerian setting, the MSPSS has been used to measure the influence of social support on depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare workers 16 , bullying and suicidal ideation in children 17 and adolescents 18 , caregiver burden 19 and physical and psychological outcomes in stroke survivors 20 – 22 , stigma in people living with HIV (PLWH) 23 , preoperative anxiety 24 and emotional reactivity in surgical patients 25 , psychological outcomes in elderly Nigerian 26 – 30 , quality of life in post-conflict communities 31 , weight reduction in obese patients 32 , psychiatric patients 33 , depression and minority stress among Nigerian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) 34 , common mental disorders in urban slum dwellers 35 , and exposure to occupational biomechanical risk factors in patients with chronic lower back pain 36 . However, the validity of MSPSS in the Nigerian context has only been tested for stroke survivors and GBMSM. For medical students, evidence of validity globally has only been reported in a study of Brazilian healthcare students 14 . Hence, there is a need to determine the reliability, validity and consistency of the MSPSS in assessing social support as an important predictor of the psychological status of Nigerian young adults, undergraduate students, and medical students in particular. Methodology Study design: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Data collection was via online questionnaire on Google form. Students enrolled in the MB;BS degree programme were invited to participate in the study by sharing the link to the online questionnaire to the central WhatsApp group of the students. Data collection extended over four weeks across November and December, 2023. Study population, procedure and sample size: Participants were current undergraduate students in the MB;BS degree programme in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The six-year undergraduate MBBS degree programme in the College of Medicine comprises preliminary, preclinical and clinical phases. The scope of this research excluded medical students in their preliminary (first year) as they are yet to be fully integrated into the College of Medicine. Participants included in this study were medical students in the preclinical (second and third year) and clinical phases (fourth, fifth and sixth year) of medical school who consented to participate in the study by indicating their choice in the ‘Informed Consent’ section on the first page of the online questionnaire. All students from the second year to sixth year were invited to participate in the survey and the resulting response rate was 51% (355 students). The sample size for this study was 355 participants, which exceeds the minimum sample size of 100 participants recommended by the COSMIN guidelines for psychometric studies. Survey instrument: This tool was developed by Zimet et al 12 and has been used in previous studies 37 – 39 . The survey consists of two sections. The first section covers sociodemographic information such as age, sex and level. The second section utilises the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The MSPSS has three subscales comprising family, friends and a significant other. There were 12 questions on the scale, with four questions on each subscale. The MSPSS has a seven-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very strongly disagree) to 7 (very strongly agree). Students with low support had mean scores ranging from 1 to 2.9, those considered moderate support ranged between 3 to 5, and those with high support between 5.1 to 7. Items 1, 2, 5 and 10 covers the significant other subscale; items 3, 4, 8 and 11 covers the family subscale; and items 6,7, 9 and 12 covers the friends subscale. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan / University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Ibadan Ethics Committee with ethical approval number 23/0726 in November 2023. Informed consent to participate was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. This process adhered to ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Data analysis: Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 and SPSS AMOS version 23. Means, standard deviations, and frequencies were calculated to summarise the demographic characteristics of the sample. Reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach's alpha to assess the internal consistency of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and its subscales, with values above 0.70 considered acceptable. To establish the construct validity of the MSPSS among our sample population, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity were performed to evaluate the suitability of the data for factor analysis. KMO value greater than 0.6, and Bartlett's test with a p-value less than 0.05 indicates that the sample is adequate, suggesting that the correlation matrix significantly deviated from an identity matrix. The CFA was conducted using the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method to test the factor structure of the MSPSS. Model fit indices such as Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR), were examined to assess goodness-of-fit. A Scree plot and Monte Carlo Parallel Analysis (PA) were utilised to determine the factors to retain in the CFA. The scree plot visually inspected the eigenvalues and the point of levelling off to determine the number of factors. The number of factors that account for meaningful variation in the data was identified by comparing the observed eigenvalues with randomly generated eigenvalues using the Monte Carlo PA. Results A total of 355 medical students were involved in this validation process. The demographic characteristics of the participants have been summarised in Table 1 . The age and sex characteristics of the participants are statistically significant, showing that their respective distributions are different from one another. The mean age is 22.63(2.44) and 51.8% of participants are within the 18–22 age range followed by 23–27 age range which is represented by 44.2%. There are more male participants (59.2%) than female participants (40.8%). In terms of level, 500 level represents 24.8% of participants, followed by 200 level (23.1%), 400 level (19.4%), 300 level (18.0%) and 600 level (14.6%). Table 1 Sociodemographic data Sociodemographic variable Frequency % P value Age Mean(SD): 22.63(2.44) 18–22 23–27 28–32 > 32 184 157 13 1 51.8 44.2 3.7 0.3 0.042 Sex Male 210 59.2 0.001 Female 145 40.8 Level 200 82 23.1 0.789 300 64 18.0 400 69 19.4 500 88 24.8 600 52 14.6 Table 2 shows the division of perceived level of social support for the significant other, friends and family sub-scales and the summation of the perceived level of social support. The internal consistency MSPSS questionnaire was high with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.927. Also, the Cronbach’s alpha value for the family, friends and significant other subscales were 0.892, 0.927 and 0.927 respectively. Table 2 Perceived level of social support CATEGORISATION Frequency % (TOTAL) LOW SUPPORT 19 5.4 MEDIUM SUPPORT 126 35.5 HIGH SUPPORT 210 59.2 FAMILY LOW SUPPORT 14 3.9 MEDIUM SUPPORT 99 27.9 HIGH SUPPORT 242 68.2 FRIENDS LOW SUPPORT 17 4.8 MEDIUM SUPPORT 149 42 HIGH SUPPORT 189 53.2 SIGNIFICANT OTHER LOW SUPPORT 42 11.8 MEDIUM SUPPORT 156 43.9 HIGH SUPPORT 157 44.2 Table 3 presents descriptive statistics for the items on the Multidimensional Social Support Perception Scale (MSPSS), including the mean, standard deviation (SD), and Cronbach’s alpha if the item were deleted. The mean scores across the items range from 4.56 to 5.74, indicating that respondents generally perceive a high level of social support from both their family and friends. The standard deviations are relatively low, ranging from 1.220 to 1.660, suggesting that there is minimal variability in the responses. The Cronbach’s alpha values for each item, which range from 0.919 to 0.923, indicate excellent internal consistency and suggest that the MSPSS items are reliable measures of social support. Deleting any single item does not substantially impact the overall internal consistency, as the Cronbach’s alpha remains above 0.90 for all items, reinforcing the reliability of the scale in assessing social support perceptions. Table 3 MSPSS items and their Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted S/N MSPSS Items Mean SD Cronbach’s Apha if Item deleted 1. There is a special person who is around when I am in need 4.56 1.610 0.923 2. There is a special person with whom I can share my joys and sorrows 4.86 1.564 0.920 3. My family really tries to help 5.74 1.220 0.923 4. I get emotional help and support I need from my family 5.48 1.347 0.922 5. I have a special person who is a real source of comfort to me 4.83 1.660 0.919 6. My friends really try to help 5.12 1.275 0.920 7. I can count on my friends when things go wrong 4.99 1.374 0.921 8. I can talk about my problems with my family 5.13 1.458 0.921 9. I have friends with whom I can share my joys and sorrows 5.12 1.369 0.919 10. There is a special person in my life who cares about my feelings 4.97 1.564 0.920 11. My family is willing to help me make decisions 5.30 1.403 0.920 12. I can talk about my problems with my friends 4.94 1.387 0.922 Factor Analysis The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy yielded a value of 0.906, which significantly exceeds the recommended threshold of 0.6, indicating that the sample size is adequate for conducting factor analysis. Additionally, the Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity returned a p-value of less than 0.001, which confirms that the correlation matrix is not an identity matrix. Both the KMO and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity supports the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis. Principal component analysis revealed the presence of three components with eigenvalues greater than 1, which explained 55.9%, 13.4%, and 11% of the total variance, respectively as presented in Table 5 . Together, these three factors accounted for 80.3% of the variance. The factor solution aligns with the original multidimensional structure of the MSPSS. A scree plot depicting the eigenvalues of each factor is presented in Fig. 1 . The results were further corroborated by Monte Carlo PCA parallel analysis, which indicated that only three components had eigenvalues exceeding the criterion values for similarly sized randomly generated data. The consistency observed across the scree plot, eigenvalue rule, and Monte Carlo PCA parallel analysis highlights the stability and robustness of the three-factor structure extracted from the data. The three factors identified were Friend, Significant Other, and Family, which align with the original dimensions of the MSPSS. Each item exhibited significant loadings on their respective factors, with values ranging from 0.886 to 0.718. These factor loadings are summarized in Table 4 . As observed, the distribution of items across the three factors mirrored that of the original MSPSS construct. Moderate positive correlations were noted between the subscales, with Friend vs Significant Other (r = 0.528), Friend vs Family (r = 0.594), and Significant Other vs Family (r = 0.554), suggesting relatedness between the factors, yet maintaining their distinctiveness. Table 4 Factor Loading for the MSPSS Items MSPSS Items Friend Significant Other Family There is a special person who is around when I am in need 0.874 There is a special person with whom I can share my joys and sorrows 0.856 My family really tries to help 0.864 I get emotional help and support I need from my family 0.841 I have a special person who is a real source of comfort to me 0.843 My friends really try to help 0.810 I can count on my friends when things go wrong 0.886 I can talk about my problems with my family 0.718 I have friends with whom I can share my joys and sorrows 0.810 There is a special person in my life who cares about my feelings 0.805 My family is willing to help me make decisions 0.783 I can talk about my problems with my friends 0.855 Table 5 Principal component analysis of the MSPSS Component Initial Eigenvalues Extraction Sums of Squared Loadings Rotation Sums of Squared Loadings Total % of Variance Cumulative % Total % of Variance Cumulative % Total % of Variance Cumulative % 1 6.707 55.895 55.895 6.707 55.895 55.895 3.296 27.469 27.469 2 1.606 13.380 69.275 1.606 13.380 69.275 3.281 27.340 54.809 3 1.319 10.988 80.263 1.319 10.988 80.263 3.055 25.454 80.263 4 .490 4.085 84.348 5 .352 2.932 87.280 6 .304 2.531 89.811 7 .281 2.341 92.152 8 .214 1.786 93.938 9 .208 1.735 95.673 10 .193 1.609 97.282 11 .175 1.460 98.742 12 .151 1.258 100.000 The path diagram from the structural equation modelling (SEM) (Fig. 2 ) analysis indicates that the standardised coefficients for the relationships between the factors were high, ranging from 0.77 to 0.92. SEM also shows a good model fit, with significant results (p < 0.001) and fit indices: CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.071, and SRMR = 0.074. Discussion This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The findings demonstrate robust psychometric properties of the MSPSS in this population, supporting its utility as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. The results largely align with similar literature on this population, with findings showing that the MSPSS has high internal consistency and factors which are a good fit for the study population 40 – 45 . The MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.927 for the total scale. This indicates that the items in the scale have a good homogeneity. This finding aligns with those of previous validation studies, including those conducted in other African settings. For instance, a study among attendees of a postnatal clinic in Uganda reported a Cronbach's alpha of 0.83 46 , whereas a study conducted in Malawi evaluating relationship between social support, intimate partner violence and antenatal depression reported a similarly high internal consistency (α = 0.88) 47 . Another validation conducted among adult stroke survivors in Northern Nigeria, reported a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.78 13 . The subscale reliability coefficients (Family: 0.892, Friends: 0.927, Significant Other: 0.927) were notably robust, exceeding those reported in some previous studies. For example, a lower but still acceptable subscale reliabilities ranging from 0.72 to 0.84 were reported in their systematic review of MSPSS validation studies in African settings 14 . The results also align with similar validation conducted among medical students in contexts other than Africa. A validation performed among Brazilian health students also reported high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) 15 . The three-factor structure of the MSPSS was strongly supported by our findings, with the factors cumulatively explaining 80.3% of the total variance. This is particularly impressive when compared to previous studies; for instance, a lower total variance explained (66%) in a Thai medical student sample 48 . The clear differentiation of the three factors - Family, Friends, and Significant Other - with high factor loadings (0.718–0.886) demonstrates the robust construct validity of the scale in our sample. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.906 not only exceeds the recommended threshold but also surpasses values reported in similar validation studies, such as the value of 0.84 reported in a Swedish validation study 49 , 0.87 reported in a validation conducted among Turkish students 40 and 0.83 in another validation conducted in Malaysia 43 . This exceptional sampling adequacy strengthens the confidence in our factor analysis results as it confirms and its suitability for factor analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis through SEM yielded impressive fit indices (CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.071, SRMR = 0.074) that meet or exceed conventional thresholds for good model fit. These results are comparable to, and in some cases better than, those reported in other cultural contexts. For example, our CFI value of 0.976 exceeds the 0.92 reported in a validation study among urban adolescents in the United States 12 . The results compare to that of a study among first year University students in the U.S. that reported a CFI of 0.97 and RMSEA of 0.07 42 . The high levels of perceived social support reported by our sample, particularly from family (68.2% reporting high support), reflect the collectivist nature of Nigerian society. However, the relatively lower scores for significant other support (44.2% reporting high support) may reflect cultural differences in how relationships outside family and friendship circles are perceived and valued in the Nigerian context. This trend has also been reported in multiple studies 15 , 43 , 45 . This may be attributed to the perception of family and friends as a more acceptable support system than significant others among university students. The validation of the MSPSS in this population has important implications for medical education in Nigeria. Given the documented stress levels among medical students 50 and the protective role of social support in academic settings, this validated tool can serve as a valuable resource for identifying students at risk of insufficient social support. The high reliability and clear factor structure suggest that the scale can be confidently used in student support services and research within medical education settings in Nigeria. While our study has strong psychometric properties, several limitations should be noted. First, test-retest reliability was not assessed, which would have provided additional evidence of the scale's temporal stability. Future studies should incorporate longitudinal designs to address this gap. Second, while our sample size was adequate for factor analysis, larger multi-centre studies across different Nigerian medical schools would enhance the generalisability of our findings. Conclusion The MSPSS is a robust instrument for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. This study confirms its excellent internal consistency, strong construct validity, and stable three-factor structure. These findings underscore the utility of the MSPSS in identifying at-risk students and informing pertinent interventions in medical education. Declarations HUMAN ETHICS AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan / University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Ibadan Ethics Committee with ethical approval number 23/0726 in November 2023. Informed consent to participate was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. This process adhered to ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION Not Applicable AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS This information will be made available upon request from the corresponding author. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with respect to the publication of this article. FUNDING The authors received no external funding for this work. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER Not Applicable AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION AAA conceptualised the study. AAA, DMA and TVA collected the data. AAA analysed the data. AAA, DMA, TVA and MIA wrote the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the manuscript. References WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION. Mental disorders. WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION. June 2022. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders National Policy for Health Service Delivery In Nigeria . Federal Ministry of Health Abuja; 2013. https://www.healthnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/national_policy_for_mental_health_service_delivery.pdf Dai P, Yi G, Qian D, Wu Z, Fu M, Peng H. Social Support Mediates the Relationship Between Coping Styles and the Mental Health of Medical Students. 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Feeding behaviors among incident cases of schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital: Association with dimensions of psychopathology and social support. Clin Nutr ESPEN . 2019;34:125-129. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2019.08.001 Ogunbajo A, Iwuagwu S, Williams R, et al. Validation of depressive symptoms, social support, and minority stress scales among gay, bisexual, and other men who have with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa: a mixed methods approach. BMC Public Health . 2020;20(1):1023. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09127-0 Sekoni O, Mall S, Christofides N. The relationship between protective factors and common mental disorders among female urban slum dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Na KS, ed. PLOS ONE . 2022;17(2):e0263703. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263703 Igwesi-Chidobe CN, Sorinola IO, Ozumba BC, Godfrey EL. Challenges of Measuring Self-Reported Exposure to Occupational Biomechanical Risk Factors Amongst People with Low Literacy Engaged in Manual Labour: Findings from a Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Investigation in an African Population with Chronic Low Back Pain. J Occup Rehabil . 2024;34(4):847-862. doi:10.1007/s10926-024-10171-5 Mercan Y, Tari Selcuk K. Association between postpartum depression level, social support level and breastfeeding attitude and breastfeeding self-efficacy in early postpartum women. PloS One . 2021;16(4):e0249538. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0249538 Ong HL, Vaingankar JA, Abdin E, et al. Resilience and burden in caregivers of older adults: moderating and mediating effects of perceived social support. BMC Psychiatry . 2018;18(1):27. doi:10.1186/s12888-018-1616-z Shao C, Wang X, Ma Q, Zhao Y, Yun X. Analysis of risk factors of non-suicidal self-harm behavior in adolescents with depression. Ann Palliat Med . 2021;10(9):9607-9613. doi:10.21037/apm-21-1951 Duru E. RE-EXAMINATION OF THE PSYCHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Soc Behav Personal Int J . 2007;35(4):443-452. doi:10.2224/sbp.2007.35.4.443 Başol G. Validity and Reliability of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support-Revised, with a Turkish Sample. Soc Behav Personal Int J . 2008;36(10):1303-1313. doi:10.2224/sbp.2008.36.10.1303 Clara IP, Cox BJ, Enns MW, Murray LT, Torgrudc LJ. Confirmatory Factor Analysis of The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Clinically Distressed and Student Samples. J Pers Assess . 2003;81(3):265-270. doi:10.1207/S15327752JPA8103_09 Ng CG, Amer Siddiq AN, Aida SA, Zainal NZ, Koh OH. Validation of the Malay version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS-M) among a group of medical students in Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. Asian J Psychiatry . 2010;3(1):3-6. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2009.12.001 Martins LMDG, Ferreira MC, Valentini F. Propriedades psicométricas da escala multidimensional de suporte social percebido. Temas Em Psicol . 2017;25(4):1873-1883. doi:10.9788/TP2017.4-18Pt Eker D, Arkar H, Yaldiz H. Generality of support sources and psychometric properties of a scale of perceived social support in Turkey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol . 2000;35(5):228-233. doi:10.1007/s001270050232 Nakigudde J, Musisi S, Ehnvall A, Airaksinen E, Agren H. Adaptation of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support in a Ugandan setting. Afr Health Sci . 2009;9 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S35-41. Stewart RC, Umar E, Tomenson B, Creed F. Validation of the multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) and the relationship between social support, intimate partner violence and antenatal depression in Malawi. BMC Psychiatry . 2014;14:180. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-180 Wongpakaran T, Wongpakaran N, Ruktrakul R. Reliability and Validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS): Thai Version. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health CP EMH . 2011;7:161-166. doi:10.2174/1745017901107010161 Ekbäck M, Benzein E, Lindberg M, Arestedt K. The Swedish version of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS)--a psychometric evaluation study in women with hirsutism and nursing students. Health Qual Life Outcomes . 2013;11:168. doi:10.1186/1477-7525-11-168 Omigbodun OO, Odukogbe ATA, Omigbodun AO, Yusuf OB, Bella TT, Olayemi O. Stressors and psychological symptoms in students of medicine and allied health professions in Nigeria. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol . 2006;41(5):415-421. doi:10.1007/s00127-006-0037-3 Terwee CB, Bot SD, de Boer MR, van der Windt DA, Knol DL, Dekker J, Bouter LM, de Vet HC. Quality criteria were proposed for measurement properties of health status questionnaires. J Clin Epidemiol. 2007 Jan;60(1):34-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.03.012. Epub 2006 Aug 24. PMID: 17161752. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 07 May, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Psychology → Version 1 posted Reviewers invited by journal 25 Mar, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 20 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 20 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5715835","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":433551720,"identity":"cfa44378-663b-4d05-bfee-08cf5584e8b5","order_by":0,"name":"Adeniyi Abraham Adesola","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABEklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFCCBCAuAOIDIGRgIwcSO/CAoBYDuJY0Y7CWBGK1AMHhxAaYIC7A3558+MMHAzt5vuO9Bw/zFDCnzw87/BBoi52cbgN2LRJnnqVJzjBINpx55lzCYR4DttyNt9MMgFqSjc0O4LDmRo4ZM48BM+OGGzkGQC08uRtnJ4C0HEjchkOL/I38z595DOrtN9x/A9IikW44O/0DXi0GN3IYpHkMDiduuMED0mKQIC+dg98WwzPPzIB+OZ4880yOwcE5BgmGG6RzCg4kGOD2i9zx5McfPlRU2/YdP2P84c2f//Lys9M3A0Xs5HB6Hxkw8YCcClZpQIRyEGD8ASTkG4hUPQpGwSgYBSMGAAATR2mKmJITpgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"College of Medicine, University of Ibadan","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adeniyi","middleName":"Abraham","lastName":"Adesola","suffix":""},{"id":433551721,"identity":"346b8759-a6af-4b03-bfad-71862003e4af","order_by":1,"name":"David Mobolaji Akoki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Medicine, University of Ibadan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"David","middleName":"Mobolaji","lastName":"Akoki","suffix":""},{"id":433551722,"identity":"0c708716-6624-4fc5-b07f-e6fa6da4dad7","order_by":2,"name":"Temilola Victoria Aderemi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Medicine, University of Ibadan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Temilola","middleName":"Victoria","lastName":"Aderemi","suffix":""},{"id":433551723,"identity":"ef594a35-9978-4d93-9dfa-6cda0093bd0e","order_by":3,"name":"Miracle Ifeoluwani Abraham","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Medicine, University of Ibadan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Miracle","middleName":"Ifeoluwani","lastName":"Abraham","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-12-26 11:38:12","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02823-9","type":"published","date":"2025-05-07T15:57:44+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":79282414,"identity":"36079a16-4861-4974-8784-a657a19710e3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-26 13:39:03","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":132035,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEigenvalue of each factor\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5715835/v1/a87e9d9384c7d885fb170ccd.png"},{"id":79282421,"identity":"337cb923-70ac-4901-94c8-31386c297cc2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-26 13:39:03","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":265366,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSEM image of the MSPSS\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5715835/v1/7a60e0626647510123bc47de.png"},{"id":82537634,"identity":"ab76e361-9e42-438c-bb1e-b23696f3abd8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-12 16:09:30","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1214429,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5715835/v1/96e6b55a-bc8c-4606-aa4e-e4fa847b5e70.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003ePsychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among University of Ibadan Medical Students\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAs of 2019, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that 1 in 8 people \u0026ndash; 12.5% of the global population \u0026ndash; were living with a mental disorder \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. However, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health found that at least 10% of Nigerians suffer from Common Mental Disorders, while over 25% of older Nigerians have experienced Major Depressive Disorder during their lives. Nigeria\u0026rsquo;s enormous mental health burden is further worsened by the cultural misrepresentation of psychiatric care, poor health financing, and a paucity of providers due to the nation\u0026rsquo;s ratio of one psychiatrist per 1\u0026nbsp;million population \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical students grapple with a thoroughly tasking, yet lengthy training. In medical school, they are required to deal with academic pressure, financial burdens, social expectations, and clinical rotations under intense conditions while juggling the numerous potential requirements of an increasingly competitive job market \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. These pressures culminate in mental health challenges, which have been shown to be more severe than those experienced by their peers, with the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) among medical students reaching as high as 44.9%, where a lack of social support is identified as the most significant risk factor \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Consistent with their multiple predispositions to mental health challenges, Nigerian medical students are reported to have a 54.5% predisposition to psychological distress and burnout, with psychiatric diagnoses increasing threefold after commencing medical school, requiring a higher level of social support \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial support is defined by the Encyclopaedia of Behavioural Medicine (pg. 389) as \u0026ldquo;the availability of a variety of social contacts from whom to derive benefits\u0026hellip;[including] emotional support, tangible aid, feelings of belonging and emotional support\u0026rdquo; \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This support may consist of the assurance of availability of aid, termed perceived social support, or the actual act of obtaining assistance, termed received support. Both perceived and received support may come from tangible acts, known as practical support, or mental and psychological reinforcement, known as emotional support \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. High levels of social support have been proven to cushion the negative health outcomes of stress. Perceived family support, especially when present over a long period from childhood, improves an individual\u0026rsquo;s ability to cope, mitigates psychological distress, improves their health behaviours, and, as a result, their health outcomes \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Despite their dire needs, however, medical students are found to have low perceived social support with the specific levels varying by gender, ethnicity, and choice of residence \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial support can be measured using a number of scales: the 2-Way Social Support scale measuring the giving and receiving of emotional and instrumental support \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, the originally-Chinese 10-item Social Support Rating Scale measuring subjective support, objective support, and support utilisation \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, the four-item Social Support Scale measuring the instrumental, informational, appraisal, and emotional dimensions of social support \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social support (MSPSS) \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The MSPSS was developed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods of social support from three distinct sources \u0026ndash; family, friends, and significant other \u0026ndash;in a simple, timely, and self-explanatory manner \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe MSPSS has been translated into numerous languages, including Hausa, a major Nigerian language \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Most translations have retained considerable validity as evidenced by a Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha of at least 0.7 in a systematic review of 22 translations \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. These translations have been used to assess social support in groups including children, adolescent, and elderly populations, psychiatric and cancer patients as well as their caregivers \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In the Nigerian setting, the MSPSS has been used to measure the influence of social support on depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare workers \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, bullying and suicidal ideation in children \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and adolescents \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, caregiver burden \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and physical and psychological outcomes in stroke survivors \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR21\" citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, stigma in people living with HIV (PLWH) \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, preoperative anxiety \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and emotional reactivity in surgical patients \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, psychological outcomes in elderly Nigerian \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR27 CR28 CR29\" citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, quality of life in post-conflict communities \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, weight reduction in obese patients \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, psychiatric patients \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, depression and minority stress among Nigerian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, common mental disorders in urban slum dwellers \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, and exposure to occupational biomechanical risk factors in patients with chronic lower back pain \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, the validity of MSPSS in the Nigerian context has only been tested for stroke survivors and GBMSM. For medical students, evidence of validity globally has only been reported in a study of Brazilian healthcare students \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Hence, there is a need to determine the reliability, validity and consistency of the MSPSS in assessing social support as an important predictor of the psychological status of Nigerian young adults, undergraduate students, and medical students in particular.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eStudy design:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is a cross-sectional observational study. Data collection was via online questionnaire on Google form. Students enrolled in the MB;BS degree programme were invited to participate in the study by sharing the link to the online questionnaire to the central WhatsApp group of the students. Data collection extended over four weeks across November and December, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudy population, procedure and sample size:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Participants were current undergraduate students in the MB;BS degree programme in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The six-year undergraduate MBBS degree programme in the College of Medicine comprises preliminary, preclinical and clinical phases. The scope of this research excluded medical students in their preliminary (first year) as they are yet to be fully integrated into the College of Medicine. Participants included in this study were medical students in the preclinical (second and third year) and clinical phases (fourth, fifth and sixth year) of medical school who consented to participate in the study by indicating their choice in the \u0026lsquo;Informed Consent\u0026rsquo; section on the first page of the online questionnaire. All students from the second year to sixth year were invited to participate in the survey and the resulting response rate was 51% (355 students). The sample size for this study was 355 participants, which exceeds the minimum sample size of 100 participants recommended by the COSMIN guidelines for psychometric studies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurvey instrument:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis tool was developed by Zimet \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and has been used in previous studies \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR38\" citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The survey consists of two sections. The first section covers sociodemographic information such as age, sex and level. The second section utilises the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The MSPSS has three subscales comprising family, friends and a significant other. There were 12 questions on the scale, with four questions on each subscale. The MSPSS has a seven-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very strongly disagree) to 7 (very strongly agree). Students with low support had mean scores ranging from 1 to 2.9, those considered moderate support ranged between 3 to 5, and those with high support between 5.1 to 7. Items 1, 2, 5 and 10 covers the significant other subscale; items 3, 4, 8 and 11 covers the family subscale; and items 6,7, 9 and 12 covers the friends subscale.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthical considerations:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan / University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Ibadan Ethics Committee with ethical approval number 23/0726 in November 2023. Informed consent to participate was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. This process adhered to ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData analysis:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 and SPSS AMOS version 23. Means, standard deviations, and frequencies were calculated to summarise the demographic characteristics of the sample. Reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach's alpha to assess the internal consistency of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and its subscales, with values above 0.70 considered acceptable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo establish the construct validity of the MSPSS among our sample population, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity were performed to evaluate the suitability of the data for factor analysis. KMO value greater than 0.6, and Bartlett's test with a p-value less than 0.05 indicates that the sample is adequate, suggesting that the correlation matrix significantly deviated from an identity matrix.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe CFA was conducted using the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method to test the factor structure of the MSPSS. Model fit indices such as Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR), were examined to assess goodness-of-fit.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA Scree plot and Monte Carlo Parallel Analysis (PA) were utilised to determine the factors to retain in the CFA. The scree plot visually inspected the eigenvalues and the point of levelling off to determine the number of factors. The number of factors that account for meaningful variation in the data was identified by comparing the observed eigenvalues with randomly generated eigenvalues using the Monte Carlo PA.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 355 medical students were involved in this validation process. The demographic characteristics of the participants have been summarised in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The age and sex characteristics of the participants are statistically significant, showing that their respective distributions are different from one another. The mean age is 22.63(2.44) and 51.8% of participants are within the 18\u0026ndash;22 age range followed by 23\u0026ndash;27 age range which is represented by 44.2%. There are more male participants (59.2%) than female participants (40.8%). In terms of level, 500 level represents 24.8% of participants, followed by 200 level (23.1%), 400 level (19.4%), 300 level (18.0%) and 600 level (14.6%).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociodemographic data\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociodemographic variable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean(SD): 22.63(2.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;22\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u0026ndash;27\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u0026ndash;32\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e157\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSex\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e145\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e300\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e500\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e600\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows the division of perceived level of social support for the significant other, friends and family sub-scales and the summation of the perceived level of social support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe internal consistency MSPSS questionnaire was high with a Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha value of 0.927. Also, the Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha value for the family, friends and significant other subscales were 0.892, 0.927 and 0.927 respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived level of social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCATEGORISATION\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(TOTAL)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOW SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMEDIUM SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e126\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHIGH SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFAMILY\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOW SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMEDIUM SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHIGH SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e242\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFRIENDS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOW SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMEDIUM SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e149\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHIGH SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e189\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSIGNIFICANT OTHER\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOW SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMEDIUM SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e156\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHIGH SUPPORT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e157\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e presents descriptive statistics for the items on the Multidimensional Social Support Perception Scale (MSPSS), including the mean, standard deviation (SD), and Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha if the item were deleted. The mean scores across the items range from 4.56 to 5.74, indicating that respondents generally perceive a high level of social support from both their family and friends. The standard deviations are relatively low, ranging from 1.220 to 1.660, suggesting that there is minimal variability in the responses. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha values for each item, which range from 0.919 to 0.923, indicate excellent internal consistency and suggest that the MSPSS items are reliable measures of social support. Deleting any single item does not substantially impact the overall internal consistency, as the Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha remains above 0.90 for all items, reinforcing the reliability of the scale in assessing social support perceptions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMSPSS items and their Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha if item deleted\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eS/N\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMSPSS Items\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCronbach\u0026rsquo;s Apha if Item deleted\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person who is around when I am in need\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.610\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.923\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person with whom I can share my joys and sorrows\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.564\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy family really tries to help\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.220\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.923\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI get emotional help and support I need from my family\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.347\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.922\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have a special person who is a real source of comfort to me\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.660\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.919\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy friends really try to help\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.275\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can count on my friends when things go wrong\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.374\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.921\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can talk about my problems with my family\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.458\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.921\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have friends with whom I can share my joys and sorrows\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.369\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.919\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person in my life who cares about my feelings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.564\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy family is willing to help me make decisions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.403\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.920\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can talk about my problems with my friends\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.387\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.922\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFactor Analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy yielded a value of 0.906, which significantly exceeds the recommended threshold of 0.6, indicating that the sample size is adequate for conducting factor analysis. Additionally, the Bartlett\u0026rsquo;s Test of Sphericity returned a p-value of less than 0.001, which confirms that the correlation matrix is not an identity matrix. Both the KMO and Bartlett\u0026rsquo;s Test of Sphericity supports the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrincipal component analysis revealed the presence of three components with eigenvalues greater than 1, which explained 55.9%, 13.4%, and 11% of the total variance, respectively as presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e. Together, these three factors accounted for 80.3% of the variance. The factor solution aligns with the original multidimensional structure of the MSPSS. A scree plot depicting the eigenvalues of each factor is presented in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The results were further corroborated by Monte Carlo PCA parallel analysis, which indicated that only three components had eigenvalues exceeding the criterion values for similarly sized randomly generated data. The consistency observed across the scree plot, eigenvalue rule, and Monte Carlo PCA parallel analysis highlights the stability and robustness of the three-factor structure extracted from the data.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe three factors identified were Friend, Significant Other, and Family, which align with the original dimensions of the MSPSS. Each item exhibited significant loadings on their respective factors, with values ranging from 0.886 to 0.718. These factor loadings are summarized in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. As observed, the distribution of items across the three factors mirrored that of the original MSPSS construct. Moderate positive correlations were noted between the subscales, with Friend vs Significant Other (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.528), Friend vs Family (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.594), and Significant Other vs Family (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.554), suggesting relatedness between the factors, yet maintaining their distinctiveness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactor Loading for the MSPSS Items\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMSPSS Items\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFriend\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificant Other\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFamily\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person who is around when I am in need\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.874\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person with whom I can share my joys and sorrows\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.856\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy family really tries to help\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.864\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI get emotional help and support I need from my family\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.841\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have a special person who is a real source of comfort to me\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.843\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy friends really try to help\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can count on my friends when things go wrong\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can talk about my problems with my family\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.718\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have friends with whom I can share my joys and sorrows\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a special person in my life who cares about my feelings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.805\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy family is willing to help me make decisions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can talk about my problems with my friends\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.855\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrincipal component analysis of the MSPSS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"11\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComponent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInitial Eigenvalues\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExtraction Sums of Squared Loadings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRotation Sums of Squared Loadings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e% of Variance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCumulative %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e% of Variance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCumulative %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e% of Variance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCumulative %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.707\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.707\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.296\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.469\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.469\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.606\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.380\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69.275\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.606\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.380\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69.275\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.281\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.340\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.809\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.319\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.988\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.263\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.319\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.988\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.263\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.055\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.454\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.263\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.490\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.085\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.348\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.352\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.932\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.280\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.304\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.531\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.811\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.281\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.341\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.152\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.786\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.938\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.208\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.735\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.673\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.609\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97.282\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.175\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.460\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e98.742\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.151\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.258\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe path diagram from the structural equation modelling (SEM) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e) analysis indicates that the standardised coefficients for the relationships between the factors were high, ranging from 0.77 to 0.92. SEM also shows a good model fit, with significant results (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) and fit indices: CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.976, TLI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.966, RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.071, and SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.074.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The findings demonstrate robust psychometric properties of the MSPSS in this population, supporting its utility as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results largely align with similar literature on this population, with findings showing that the MSPSS has high internal consistency and factors which are a good fit for the study population \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR41 CR42 CR43 CR44\" citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.927 for the total scale. This indicates that the items in the scale have a good homogeneity. This finding aligns with those of previous validation studies, including those conducted in other African settings. For instance, a study among attendees of a postnatal clinic in Uganda reported a Cronbach's alpha of 0.83 \u003csup\u003e46\u003c/sup\u003e, whereas a study conducted in Malawi evaluating relationship between social support, intimate partner violence and antenatal depression reported a similarly high internal consistency (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.88) \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Another validation conducted among adult stroke survivors in Northern Nigeria, reported a Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha of 0.78 \u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e. The subscale reliability coefficients (Family: 0.892, Friends: 0.927, Significant Other: 0.927) were notably robust, exceeding those reported in some previous studies. For example, a lower but still acceptable subscale reliabilities ranging from 0.72 to 0.84 were reported in their systematic review of MSPSS validation studies in African settings \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The results also align with similar validation conducted among medical students in contexts other than Africa. A validation performed among Brazilian health students also reported high internal consistency (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe three-factor structure of the MSPSS was strongly supported by our findings, with the factors cumulatively explaining 80.3% of the total variance. This is particularly impressive when compared to previous studies; for instance, a lower total variance explained (66%) in a Thai medical student sample \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The clear differentiation of the three factors - Family, Friends, and Significant Other - with high factor loadings (0.718\u0026ndash;0.886) demonstrates the robust construct validity of the scale in our sample.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.906 not only exceeds the recommended threshold but also surpasses values reported in similar validation studies, such as the value of 0.84 reported in a Swedish validation study \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, 0.87 reported in a validation conducted among Turkish students \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and 0.83 in another validation conducted in Malaysia \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This exceptional sampling adequacy strengthens the confidence in our factor analysis results as it confirms and its suitability for factor analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe confirmatory factor analysis through SEM yielded impressive fit indices (CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.976, TLI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.966, RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.071, SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.074) that meet or exceed conventional thresholds for good model fit. These results are comparable to, and in some cases better than, those reported in other cultural contexts. For example, our CFI value of 0.976 exceeds the 0.92 reported in a validation study among urban adolescents in the United States \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The results compare to that of a study among first year University students in the U.S. that reported a CFI of 0.97 and RMSEA of 0.07 \u003csup\u003e42\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe high levels of perceived social support reported by our sample, particularly from family (68.2% reporting high support), reflect the collectivist nature of Nigerian society. However, the relatively lower scores for significant other support (44.2% reporting high support) may reflect cultural differences in how relationships outside family and friendship circles are perceived and valued in the Nigerian context. This trend has also been reported in multiple studies \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This may be attributed to the perception of family and friends as a more acceptable support system than significant others among university students.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe validation of the MSPSS in this population has important implications for medical education in Nigeria. Given the documented stress levels among medical students \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and the protective role of social support in academic settings, this validated tool can serve as a valuable resource for identifying students at risk of insufficient social support. The high reliability and clear factor structure suggest that the scale can be confidently used in student support services and research within medical education settings in Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile our study has strong psychometric properties, several limitations should be noted. First, test-retest reliability was not assessed, which would have provided additional evidence of the scale's temporal stability. Future studies should incorporate longitudinal designs to address this gap. Second, while our sample size was adequate for factor analysis, larger multi-centre studies across different Nigerian medical schools would enhance the generalisability of our findings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe MSPSS is a robust instrument for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. This study confirms its excellent internal consistency, strong construct validity, and stable three-factor structure. These findings underscore the utility of the MSPSS in identifying at-risk students and informing pertinent interventions in medical education.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHUMAN ETHICS AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan / University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Ibadan Ethics Committee with ethical approval number 23/0726 in November 2023. Informed consent to participate was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. This process adhered to ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONSENT FOR PUBLICATION\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis information will be made available upon request from the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONFLICT OF INTEREST\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with respect to the publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFUNDING\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors received no external funding for this work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHORS\u0026rsquo; CONTRIBUTION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAAA conceptualised the study. AAA, DMA and TVA collected the data. AAA analysed the data. AAA, DMA, TVA and MIA wrote the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION. Mental disorders. WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION. June 2022. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eNational Policy for Health Service Delivery In Nigeria\u003c/em\u003e. Federal Ministry of Health Abuja; 2013. https://www.healthnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/national_policy_for_mental_health_service_delivery.pdf\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDai P, Yi G, Qian D, Wu Z, Fu M, Peng H. 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PMID: 17161752.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-psychology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"psyo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Psychology](http://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"BMC Psychology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Social support, University of Ibadan, MSPSS, Psychometric properties, Nigerian medical students","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction: \u003c/strong\u003eThe Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is widely used to measure perceived social support. Despite its extensive application, the scale's psychometric properties have not been tested among Nigerian medical students, who face high levels of psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and factor structure of the MSPSS among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod: \u003c/strong\u003eA cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 355 preclinical and clinical medical students from the University of Ibadan. Data were collected through an online questionnaire utilising the MSPSS, which includes three subscales: family, friends, and significant other. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was evaluated through factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess model fit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults: \u003c/strong\u003eThe MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.927), with subscale reliability for family (α = 0.892), friends (α = 0.927), and significant other (α = 0.927). Factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure consistent with the original MSPSS, explaining 80.3% of the variance. CFA showed strong model fit indices (CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.071).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion: \u003c/strong\u003eThe MSPSS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. The findings highlight the scale’s applicability for identifying students at risk and guiding necessary interventions in medical education.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Among University of Ibadan Medical Students","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-03-26 13:38:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5715835/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-03-25T06:12:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-03-20T12:24:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Psychology","date":"2025-03-20T08:50:53+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-psychology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"psyo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Psychology](http://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"BMC Psychology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"01c5139d-e5cf-482d-9162-75e0d0708719","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 26th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-05-12T16:06:25+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-5715835","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02823-9","journal":{"identity":"bmc-psychology","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Psychology"},"publishedOn":"2025-05-07 15:57:44","publishedOnDateReadable":"May 7th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-03-26 13:38:59","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s40359-025-02823-9","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02823-9","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5715835","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5715835","identity":"rs-5715835","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}