Psychometric Validation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support During Pregnancy in Rural Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a short and reliable instrument that assesses perceived social support from the social network of an individual. A previous study in Pakistan among postpartum women has demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure in contrast to the original three-factor structure. The emergence of a one-factor structure for postpartum women in Pakistan may be due to traditional postpartum practices unique to the women of the subcontinent. Building upon the previous evidence, this study aims to explore the psychometric properties of MSPSS among pregnant women in their third trimester in rural Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2014 to February 2016, in rural Pakistan. A sample of 1,154 pregnant women (aged ≥ 18 years) in their third trimester who were registered with the local Lady Health Worker Program and were living in the north of the Punjab Province was included in this study. They were assessed using Urdu translated scales of Patient Health Questionnaire, MSPSS, Maternal Social Support Index, and Perceived Stress Scale. Principal Axis Factoring was used to assess the construct validity of the MSPSS.Results: The MSPSS scale showed an excellent internal consistency, yielding a Cronbach's α-value of 0.933. The MSPSS scale exhibited an excellent construct validity, and confirmatory factor analysis retained three factors (family, friends, and significant others) for both the depressed and non-depressed samples. Internal reliability and construct validity were also established.Conclusion: The psychometric findings suggest that the tridimensional structure of MSPSS is a valid and reliable measure of perceived social support among the Pakistani population with and without perinatal depression. The perceived social support is an important predictor of maternal mental well-being and psychopathologies, and the MSPSS can serve as a useful tool in mental health research in Pakistan.

Predicting Remission among Perinatal Women with Depression in Rural Pakistan: A Prognostic Model for Task-Shared Interventions in Primary Care Settings

“…Besides accounting for heterogeneity in the clinical presentation for PND, this model also incorporates short and easy-to-measure constructs of sources of social support, relationship status and empowerment, and socioeconomic class. These variables have been shown to affect the trajectory and hence the prognosis of PND and major depressive disorder [ 26 , 31 , 44 ]. It is, however, to be noted that the current modeling strategy included subjective assessments of socioeconomic class by the community health workers and sources of social support using categorical questions.…”

“…Predictors of interests included characteristics of mothers, such as age, education levels, household income, and physical health. Social support levels were assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support [ 31 ]. Socioeconomic status was assessed using employment and household income questions, a detailed asset questionnaire, and subjective assessments by the community health workers.…”

The Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Early Child Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In addition, maternal anxiety in pregnancy is also associated with perceived social support (Sharif et al, 2021 ). Similarly to maternal anxiety, a pregnant woman's lack of perceived support may negatively affect her mental well-being, fetus, and close family members (Aktan, 2012 ).…”

“…Similarly to maternal anxiety, a pregnant woman's lack of perceived support may negatively affect her mental well-being, fetus, and close family members (Aktan, 2012 ). Social support plays a significant role in stressful life events and includes providing emotional, informational, and practical physical support (financial and material) during the time of need and within a person's social network (Dambi et al, 2018 ; Sharif et al, 2021 ). Research on social support during pregnancy has shown that it may be a strong predictor of a healthy pregnancy (Naveed et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Research on social support during pregnancy has shown that it may be a strong predictor of a healthy pregnancy (Naveed et al, 2018 ). Several studies on the population of pregnant women found that social support plays a significant role in maternal well-being, while perceived lack of social support leads to mental health problems (Aktan, 2012 ; Denis et al, 2015 ; Sharif et al, 2021 ).…”