Psychometric characteristics and measurement invariance across genders of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among Nigerian adolescents

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Background The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) in terms of its factor structure, reliability, va-lidity and measurement invariance across genders has not been examined among Nigerian adolescents. Participants and procedure We evaluated the psychometric properties and gender invariance of the MSPSS among Nigerian senior high school adolescents (N = 1335, Mage = 15.15). Other study measures completed were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The four models of the MSPSS described in the literature were com-pared with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The model with the best fit indices was examined for its internal consistency by calculating the MacDonald’s omega (ω) while criterion validity was examined through correla-tional analyses with other study measures. Measurement invariance in relation to gender was assessed with multi-group nested CFA. Results Our results confirmed the original 3-factor structure of the MSPSS (Family, Significant others, and Friends). CFA showed that our data equivalently fitted the first (original first order 3-factor) and the fourth (second order 3-factor) MSPSS models. The reliability and criterion validity were satisfactory. Configural, metric and scalar measurement invariances in relation to genders were confirmed. Conclusions The 3-factor MSPSS either in its original (first-order) or second-order model is useful as a perceived social support assessment instrument among Nigerian adolescents.