A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) Among Pregnant Women In a Community-Based, Black-Led Perinatal Program

Background

Background

Social support is an important protective factor during pregnancy and has been associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as better prenatal well-being. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a widely used measure that conceptualizes support as coming from three distinct sources: family, friends, and a significant other. Prior psychometric studies have generally supported this three-factor structure. However, few studies have examined the factor structure of the MSPSS among pregnant women in community-based settings. Culturally grounded validation is particularly needed for Black women receiving care through Black-led perinatal programs. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the MSPSS among pregnant women receiving services from a community-based, Black-led organization.

Methods

This study used confirmatory factor analysis to test the three-factor structure of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support among pregnant women enrolled in a community-based perinatal health program. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 268 pregnant women receiving services through Birthing Beautiful Communities, a community-based, Black-led maternal health organization providing culturally centered perinatal support. The hypothesized model included three correlated latent factors: family support, friend support, and significant other support.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure of the MSPSS in this sample. The initial model showed marginal fit. Modification indices indicated correlated residuals between two friend-support items and two significant-other items with overlapping content. After allowing these correlated residuals, the revised model showed substantially improved and generally acceptable fit (CFI = .982, TLI = .975, SRMR = .038, RMSEA = .077). In the revised model, all MSPSS items loaded strongly on their intended latent factors, with standardized loadings ranging from .778 to .986. These findings provide support for the multidimensional structure of perceived social support in this sample.

Conclusions

The results provide preliminary evidence that the MSPSS functions well in this sample and lay the groundwork for future structural equation models examining whether support from family, friends, and a significant other mediates or buffers the relationship between childhood adversity and depressive symptoms. The findings also highlight the importance of evaluating commonly used psychosocial measures in culturally relevant, community-based settings.