Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)

 

Scoring:

• Range: 12-84 (12 items, 1-7 each).


• No reverse scoring—all items are positively worded, so higher scores = more support.


• Total score is the sum of all responses.


• Subscale scores (optional):
  
  • Significant Other: Items 1, 2, 5, 10 (4-28, average 1-7).
  
  
  • Family: Items 3, 4, 8, 11 (4-28, average 1-7).
  
  
  • Friends: Items 6, 7, 9, 12 (4-28, average 1-7).

Interpretation:

• ≤36: Low perceived social support (~average ≤3).


• 37-60: Moderate perceived social support (~average 3.1-5).
• 60: High perceived social support (~average >5). 

These are approximate cutoffs based on typical MSPSS usage; the original authors (Zimet et al., 1988) often report means (e.g., ~5.6 overall in healthy samples), but categorical thresholds vary.

Verification:

• All "Very Strongly Disagree" (1): 12 × 1 = 12 (Low).


• All "Neutral" (4): 12 × 4 = 48 (Moderate).


• All "Very Strongly Agree" (7): 12 × 7 = 84 (High). Subscales align similarly (e.g., all 1s = 4 per subscale, average 1).