Adaptation into Kazakh and reliability assessment of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)

Abstract

Relevance: Social support is crucial for the physical and emotional well-being of individuals with cancer. A cancer diagnosis causes psychological stress, leading to fear, hopelessness, depression, and isolation. Support from family, friends, colleagues, and healthcare providers is vital in such cases. It helps patients stay connected to society, return to work, and improve quality of life while promoting social integration and adaptation to normal life.
The study aimed to adapt the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) into Kazakh and assess its reliability.
Methods: The study design is a cross-sectional momentary study. A survey was conducted to determine the level of social support among cancer patients receiving treatment at the Medical Center of West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University (Aktobe, Kazakhstan) using the MSPSS scale. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions assessing support from family, friends, and significant others. Interpretation of results: 12-35 points – low level, 36-60 points – medium level, 61-84 points – high level. SSPSS version 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among 89 participants, the average MSPSS score was 80.54 ± 6.80, indicating a high level of social support. The Kazakh version of the MSPSS scale showed high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.84 and values ranging from 0.39 to 0.95 across three subscales. The item-result correlation coefficients ranged from 0.32 to 0.95, confirming no redundancy in the items.
Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that the Kazakh version of the MSPSS questionnaire has high reliability (Cronbach’s α=0.84), confirming its suitability for use in scientific research. The questionnaire effectively assesses the level of social support among cancer patients, allowing for the exploration of various aspects of social support, identification of social issues, and provision of solutions for their resolution.