Validation of the Social Provisions Scale in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: This study examined the factorial and construct validity of the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) in a sample of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Participants included 292 individuals with MS (83.9% women) recruited from the Greater Illinois, Gateway, and Indiana chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants completed the SPS and pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, MS self-efficacy, quality of life, and satisfaction with life measures. Factorial validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and construct validity was examined based on the strength of bivariate correlations with scores on related measures. Results: Findings from the CFA indicated that a first-order, 6-factor measurement model provided a good fit for the 24 items of the SPS (CFI = .94, TLI = .93, RMSEA = 0.07) and that the 6 factors could be described by a single, second-order factor of the overall social provisions (CFI = .93, TLI = .92, RMSEA = 0.08). Cronbach's alpha was .89 for the global score and between .66 and .81 for the 6 subscales. The SPS global and subscale scores correlated significantly with satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, MS self-efficacy, and quality of life measures. Conclusions: Findings from this study support the factorial validity, construct validity, and reliability of the SPS as a measure of social provisions for use with people with MS. Impact and Implications This study was the first to examine the factorial validity of the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) in a sample of people with MS. Results support the 6-factor structure of the SPS, namely attachment, social integration, reassurance of worth, reliable alliance, guidance, and opportunity for nurturance, and demonstrate that social support can be conceptualized as bidirectional in nature-that is, individuals perceive and provide support. Findings also provide evidence for the construct validity of the SPS for people with MS. Clinicians can use the SPS as a screening tool for people with MS to assess specific social support needs and capabilities.