Measuring belongingness: The Social Connectedness and the Social Assurance scales.

Abstract

The study developed 2 measures of belongingness based on H. Kohut's (1984) self psychology theory. The Social Connectedness Scale and the Social Assurance Scale were constructed with a split-sample procedure on 626 college students. Internal reliability estimates for the 2 scales were .91 and .82, respectively. Test-retest correlations revealed good test stability over a 2-week period (rs = .96 and .84, respectively). Cross-validation for the 2 measures was achieved with confirmatory factor analysis with an incremental fit index greater than .90. Scale functions are described and results are discussed in light of current research and theory. Heinz Kohut's self psychology (1971, 1977, 1984) has received considerable attention in the field of counseling psychology over the past decade (Gelso & Fassinger, 1990). Early empirical research dates back to Patton, Connor, and Scott (1982), who provided operational definitions for two self constructs, namely, grandiosity and idealization. Soon thereafter, two self-report scales were constructed to measure aspects of these constructs, the Superiority Scale and the Goal Instability Scale, respectively (Robbins & Patton, 1985). Other self psychology measures have since been developed (Lapan & Patton, 1986;Shreve & Patton, 1988). With these developments in measurement, self psychology has been applied to numerous populations and areas of psychology, including career counseling, personality development, adolescent identity, and aging (Blustein & Palladino, 1991;Robbins, 1989;Robbins, Lee, & Wan, 1994).Despite the recent developments and the heuristic value of self psychology, little research has been conducted on the alter ego or belongingness construct that was later proposed by Kohut (1984). This is surprising given both the importance and lack of belongingness in today's society. Clinical and social observations point to the growing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and alienation among adolescents, young adults, immigrants, and other groups in America

Collaboration, connectedness, and community: An examination of the factors influencing student persistence in virtual communities

“…In research pertaining to the measurement of belonging, Lee and Robbins (1995) propose that the notion of belongingness is composed of three main constructscompanionship, affiliation and connectedness. While companionship is the act of bonding with another human being and affiliation is the establishment of peer relations of similar values, connectedness is a feeling of relatedness and identification of differences.…”

“…In a study of the social connectedness in university settings, Lee and colleagues (Lee, Keough, & Sexton, 2002) modified the original Social Connectedness Scale (Lee & Robbins, 1995) to study interpersonal closeness and factors that influence perceptions of closeness. The study found that women who experience low connectedness reported a negative campus climate and higher level of stress.…”

Enhancing the well-being of veterans using extended group-based nature recreation experiences

“…Measures of social functioning included a 3-item modified version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale [43] and a 3-item modified version of the Social Connectedness Scale [44]. Both of these measures ask about frequency of feeling socially isolated and alone ("never" to "very often").…”

Technological Addictions and Social Connectedness: Predictor Effect of Internet Addiction, Social Media Addiction, Digital Game Addiction and Smartphone Addiction on Social Connectedness

“…Adolescence is regarded as a critical period in terms of social connectedness (55,62) and technological addictions such as internet addiction, social media addiction, digital game addiction and smartphone addiction (4,15,22). The use of technologies such as the internet and social media is more common among adolescents.…”