Cited by 191Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionImpact of Technology on AdolescentsPsychometric Methodologies and Testing

The Online Social Support Scale: Measure development and validation.

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Nick, Elizabeth A., Cole, David A., Cho, Sun-Joo, Smith, Darcy K., Carter, T. Grace, Zelkowitz, Rachel L.·2018·Psychological Assessment

Abstract

A new measure, the Online Social Support Scale, was developed based on previous theory, research, and measurement of in-person social support. It includes four subscales: Esteem/Emotional Support, Social Companionship, Informational Support, and Instrumental Support. In college and community samples, factor analytic and item response theory results suggest that subtypes of in-person social support also pertain in the online world. Evidence of reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity provide excellent psychometric support for the measure. Construct validity accrues to the measure vis-à-vis support for three hypotheses: (a) Various broad types of Internet platforms for social interactions are differentially associated with online social support and online victimization; (b) similar to in-person social support, online social support offsets the adverse effect of negative life events on self-esteem and depression-related outcome; and (c) online social support counteracts the effects of online victimization in much the same way that in-person friends in one social niche counterbalance rejection in other social niches. (PsycINFO Database Record

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Authors
Nick, E. A., Cole, D. A., Cho, S.-J., Smith, D. K., Carter, T. G., & Zelkowitz, R. L.
Affiliations
Vanderbilt University (US)
Venue
Psychological Assessment
Published
2018-09
Volume
30
Issue
9
Pages
1127-1143
ISSN
  • 1040-3590 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-134X
OpenAlex
W2804419925
Cited by
191
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4
FWCI
8.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Assessment (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH018921)
  • American Psychological Foundation
  • American Psychological Association of Graduate Students
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Keywords
online social support, scale development, psychometric validation, cyber victimization, self-esteem, depression, negative life events, social rejection, social niche, information support, instrumental support, emotional support
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Psychometrics, Self Concept, Social Support, Reproducibility of Results, Internet, Young Adult, Social Media

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