A Network Cross-cultural Validation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Non-Indigenous Australian Adults

A Network Cross-cultural Validation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Non-Indigenous Australian Adults

Indigenous peoples

Kym Michelle McCormick, Pedro Henrique Ribeiro Santiago, Sneha Sethi, Gregory D. Zimet, Lisa Jamieson, Joanne Hedges

Australian Psychologist

Vol. 60

No. 4

2025

Australian Psychological Society

Research paper

English

17429544

Australia

Open Access

This study aimed to assess cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australian adults, focusing on its applicability in diverse cultural contexts. We analysed 24-month follow-up data from a longitudinal cohort study on oral HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC) with 729 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and baseline data from the Dental Care and Oral Health Study (DCOHS), encompassing 4,086 non-Indigenous South Australians. Using network analysis and permutation testing, we examined configural and metric invariance.The MSPSS maintained its three-dimensional structure in both cultural groups (configural invariance). However, three items showed weaker loadings in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network models compared to models for non-Indigenous participants. These differences had minimal impact on total scores, but may affect sub-scale comparisons. The MSPSS demonstrates robust psychometric properties for cross-cultural research on social support among both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. While partial invariance suggests the need for caution in interpreting sub-scale scores, the MSPSS provides valuable insights into social support dimensions across populations.

Jessica Alston