Validity and utility of a multidimensional model of received support in intimate relationships.

Abstract

The authors of the present study statistically address the largely conceptual debate about the multidimensional nature of received support in intimate relationships. The Support in Intimate Relationships Rating Scale (SIRRS) was factor analyzed in 3 samples of dating and married couples. A novel, 4-factor structure of support types was generated that constituted esteem/emotional, physical comfort, informational, and tangible support types. This structure was reliable and valid in dating and marital relationships, across men and women, and across time. Each support type also demonstrated incremental validity for explaining marital adjustment, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms longitudinally. This study is among the first to generate and cross-validate a factor analytically derived set of support types for received support and the first to do so regarding partner support specifically. This is also the first study to replicate a distinct set of support types across different types of intimate relationships, across both sexes, and over time within relationships. Implications for enhancing functional theories of support and for augmenting the construct validity of a multidimensional model of received support are discussed.

Evaluating and Refining the Construct of Sexual Quality With Item Response Theory: Development of the Quality of Sex Inventory

“…These four items have been previously identified as forming an internally consistent emotional support factor within the SIRRS (e.g., Barry, Bunde, Lawrence, & Brock, 2009). Respondents reported how often their partner engaged in each support behavior in the last 2 weeks prior to completing the survey on an 8-point scale (0 times to 7 or more times).…”

Supplemental Material for Partner Support and Maternal Depression in the Context of the Iowa Floods

“…Although multidimensional models of social support have been applied, the potential for a unique multidimensional structure in the context of intimate rela tionships (compared with friendships or relationships with rela tives) has generally been overlooked. Indeed, results of a recent factor analysis (Barry, Bunde, Brock, & Lawrence, 2009) identify four distinct types of support provided in intimate relationships: (a) informational support (e.g., giving suggestions about how to han dle a situation, sharing a similar personal experience, offering advice); (b) physical comfort (e.g., holding hands, kissing, cud dling); (c) esteem/emotional support (e.g., listening, expressing confidence in one's abilities, validating feelings); and (d) tangible support (e.g., directly or indirectly doing something to address the issue). In the context of intimate relationships, physical comfort is a unique dimension, and has demonstrated incremental utility beyond other support types (Barry et al, 2009).…”

“…Indeed, results of a recent factor analysis (Barry, Bunde, Brock, & Lawrence, 2009) identify four distinct types of support provided in intimate relationships: (a) informational support (e.g., giving suggestions about how to han dle a situation, sharing a similar personal experience, offering advice); (b) physical comfort (e.g., holding hands, kissing, cud dling); (c) esteem/emotional support (e.g., listening, expressing confidence in one's abilities, validating feelings); and (d) tangible support (e.g., directly or indirectly doing something to address the issue). In the context of intimate relationships, physical comfort is a unique dimension, and has demonstrated incremental utility beyond other support types (Barry et al, 2009). Consideration of these distinct types of support is an important step in clarifying the role of both received partner support and partner support adequacy in perinatal maternal depression.…”

“…IDAS scores were obtained at five times: (a) pregnancy Partner support. Support in Intimate Relationships ScaleRevised (SIRRS-R; Barry et al, 2009) is an adapted version of the SIRRS (Dehle, Larsen, & Landers, 2001) and measures global perceptions of support over extended periods of time (e.g., weeks to months at a time rather than daily as in the SIRRS). The SIRRS-R is a shortened version of the original 48-item measure, consisting of 25 items that were factor analytically derived across dating and marital relationships, across men and women, and across time, and demonstrates strong reliability and validity (con vergent, divergent, and incremental predictive utility).…”

Environmental and Personal Factors as Predictors of Marital Adjustment- An Investigation in Pakistani Context

“…Consequently, the impact of support on relationship functioning is not limited to the shorter span of time rather it's alongitudinal course of the relations. A multidimensional model Barry et al, 2009) asserts that support is comprised of five dimensions namely: Informational, emotional, esteem, tangible and network. Since informational and tangible support is linked with taking wise decisions therefore this support involves in solving a problem.…”