Abstract
We aimed to generate a valid reliable Arabic version of MOS social support survey (MOS-SSS). We did a cross sectional study in medical students of Faculty of Medicine in Khartoum, Sudan. We did a clustered random sampling in 500 students of which 487 were suitable for analysis. We followed the standard translation process for translating the MOS-SSS. We accomplished factor analysis to assess construct validity, and generated item-scales correlations to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity. We extracted the Cronbach’s α and Spearman Brown coefficient of spit half method to determine internal consistency. We measured stability by correlation between the scores of the MOS survey taken at two different occasions with ten days apart in 252 participants. All items correlated highly (0.788 or greater) with their hypothesized scales. All items in subscales correlated higher by two standard errors with their own scale than with any other scale. Principle component analysis with varimax rotation was conducted on the 19 items and examination of scree plot graphically suggested 4 predominant factors that account for 72 % of variance. It showed high loadings, ranging from 0.720 to 0.84 for items of emotional support, 0.699–0.845 for tangible support, 0.518–0.823 for affectionate support, and 0.740–0.816 for positive social interaction. Cronbach’s alpha for overall MOS scale and subscales indicated high internal consistency. The test–retest correlation showed weak correlation between the test and retest (ranges from 0.04 to 0.104). The Arabic MOS-SSS had high validity and internal consistency.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2960-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Scientists had identified that Social support plays an important role in alleviating the negative effects of mental illness on patients, as well as decreasing distress, improving their self-esteem, quality of life and helping them with dealing with loneliness and despair (Pehlivan et al 2012)
It had been found that perceived social support decreases mortality and incidence of mental illness (Motamedi Shalamzari et al 2002)
In this study we aimed to obtain a standard translation of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) social support survey besides testing the validity and reliability of it
Summary
Scientists had identified that Social support plays an important role in alleviating the negative effects of mental illness on patients, as well as decreasing distress, improving their self-esteem, quality of life and helping them with dealing with loneliness and despair (Pehlivan et al 2012). MOS Social Support Survey is one of the most popularly used instruments available in measuring social support. It is a brief, multi-dimensional, self-administered scale initially. The language of questionnaires should be at the level of understanding of the participants. It is essential to word the questions in a way that they can be understood by participant and should be according to their educational level and culture, we should put in our mind the importance of understanding the local context, specific issues and cultural meanings which language carries. As far as we know, up to the time of writing this manuscript there is no study conducted to validate MOS questionnaire in Arabic language
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