Adolescents' ratings of perceived social support and its importance: Validation of the student social support scale

Christine Kerres Malecki, Stephen N. Elliott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigated the measurement of social support for adolescents using the Student Social Support Scale (SSSS). A sample of 198 students in grades 7 through 12 completed the SSSS and either the Student Self-Concept Scale or the Social Skills Rating System. The results provided evidence that the SSSS is a four-factor scale (Parent, Teacher, Classmate, and Close Friend). Analyses also indicated that: (a) the SSSS is highly reliable and moderately stable: (b) social support differed by developmental/age groups and by sex; and (c) relationships exist among social support, self-concept, and social behavior. It was concluded that the SSSS is a promising measure of students' perceived social support for use in both research and practice with children and adolescents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)473-483
Number of pages11
JournalPsychology in the Schools
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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