Multidimensional Scale Of Perceived Social Support (Mspss) In Cancer Patients: Psychometric Properties And Measurement Invariance

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, convergent validity, and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in cancer patients. Method: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to explore the scale's dimensionality and test for strong measurement invariance across sex and age in a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study. Patients completed the MSPSS and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results: A total of 925 consecutive patients were recruited in 13 hospitals between July 2015 and December 2018. The CFA indicated that the original three-factor model was replicated in patients with cancer. The results of the multi-group CFA revealed a strong invariance according to sex and age. The Spanish version of the MSPSS had high estimated reliability with values exceeding.90. The simple sum of the items of each scale was a good indicator of oncology patients' perceived social support. The three MSPSS subscales correlated significantly with the SWLS. Women scored higher on social support by friends than men. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the MSPSS proved to be a valid, reliable instrument to assess perceived social support in cancer patients.