Social Provision Scale – Oluwatomiwo

Abstract

The Social Provision Scale-Oluwatomiwo (SPS-O) is a specialized 32-item psychometric instrument developed and validated in 2015 by Oluwatomiwo, Oladunmoye. Enoch. Its primary function is to measure the perceived level and quality of Social Provision and support structures available to an individual. Specifically designed for use with the Undergraduate students population, the scale assesses four distinct dimensions of social support: Emotional support, Network support, Material support, and Satisfaction support. The development of the SPS-O was crucial for investigating the relationship between social resources and positive Psychological adjustment among students facing transitional challenges.

Keywords

Social Provision Scale, Oluwatomiwo, social support, Emotional support, Network support, Material support, Satisfaction support, Psychological adjustment, undergraduate, scale validation.

Authors

Oluwatomiwo, Oladunmoye. Enoch

Purpose

The core purpose of the Social Provision Scale-Oluwatomiwo is to provide a reliable and validated measure of the various forms of social support received or perceived by individuals, particularly within an academic setting. The instrument aims to quantify the subjective experience of social provision, moving beyond simple network size to evaluate the actual quality and utility of the support received.

By capturing four distinct factors of social support, the scale allows researchers and practitioners to identify specific areas where an individual’s social resources may be deficient or robust. This detailed assessment is vital for understanding how social environment influences students’ ability to cope with academic stress and maintain positive mental health and Psychological adjustment during their first year of study.

Construct

The underlying psychological construct measured by the SPS-O is Social Provision, which refers to the availability and adequacy of interpersonal resources that meet specific needs related to well-being and adaptation. The scale operationalizes this construct through a four-factor model, reflecting the multifaceted nature of support systems.

The four distinct dimensions of social provision measured are:

• Emotional Support: Focusing on feelings of comfort, love, security, and having someone to confide in or share feelings with.
• Network Support: Pertaining to the perceived availability of a company, a social circle, or a group that shares interests and provides a sense of belonging and companionship.
• Material Support: Relating to tangible assistance, such as help with practical needs, provision of resources (like foodstuff or ideas), and financial or logistical aid.
• Satisfaction Support: Measuring the overall contentment and perceived adequacy regarding the assistance and support received, including the timeliness and effectiveness of the help provided.

Validity

The SPS-O underwent rigorous validation procedures during its development in 2015. Although specific details regarding content, criterion, and construct validity (beyond factor analysis) are contained within the full journal article, the successful publication of the validation study implies that the scale possesses adequate psychometric properties for measuring Social Provision in the target population. The scale’s strong correlation with measures of psychological adjustment supports its construct validity, demonstrating that it accurately assesses the social factors intended to influence well-being.

Reliability

The Reliability of the Social Provision Scale-Oluwatomiwo was established using internal consistency measures, specifically Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients. The overall scale demonstrated high internal consistency, indicating that the items reliably measure the same underlying construct. Subscale reliabilities also met or exceeded acceptable standards for research instruments.

The calculated Cronbach’s Alpha values are as follows:

• Emotional support: 0.885
• Network support: 0.721
• Material support: 0.700
• Satisfaction support: 0.760
• Total Scale Reliability: 0.837

Factor Analysis

The structure of the SPS-O was determined through factor analysis, which established a clear four-factor structure corresponding to the theoretical dimensions of social provision. This analysis confirmed that the 32 items load distinctly onto the following four subscales: Emotional support, Network support, Material support, and Satisfaction support. This factorial structure supports the scale’s utility in providing nuanced diagnostic information about the type of social resources available to the respondent.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Psychometric scale

Format: 32 items, utilizing a Likert-type response format ranging from SA=strongly agree to SD=strongly disagree.

Language Available: English (as published in the source material)

Population Group: Educational/Academic (Students)

Age Group: Late adolescence to early adulthood (Typically 16-25 years old)

Population Details: First-year undergraduate students. The instrument was validated in the context of psychological adjustment during the transition to university life.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate their agreement with statements describing the presence, quality, and satisfaction derived from their social support systems.

Keywords

Social Provision Scale, Oluwatomiwo, social support, Emotional support, Network support, Material support, Satisfaction support, psychological adjustment, Reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, psychometrics, university students.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2015

Permissions and Fees: Information regarding current licensing or usage fees is not specified in the original source, but the instrument was published in an open-access journal (Journal of Education and Practice), suggesting accessibility for academic research purposes.

The original PDF of the instrument and validation study can be downloaded here: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081217.pdf

Reference’s

Oluwatomiwo‚ Oladunmoye. Enoch. (2015). Development and Validation of Social Provision Scale on First Year Undergraduate Psychological adjustment. Journal of Education and Practice‚ 6(28)‚ 78-90.

Items of the Social Provision Scale- Oluwatomiwo

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. I always have someone to share my feelings with
2. Whenever I’m depressed there will be someone who will make me happy.
3. Most times when I need interpretation to my dreams I get someone to assist.
4. I keep a company that comforts me.
5. Most times I don’t feel neglected.
6. People around me make me feel important.
7. Most times I feel someone loves me.
8. There is always someone ready to give hears to whatever borders me.
9. I keep relationships that make me feel secure.
10. I am always ha‎ving someone to guide me.
11. Someone is always there to help whenever there is need for an idea.
12. Most times I get what I need in terms of advice from people.
13. I’m never short of information due to the friends I keep.
14. I have never got struck in a situation without a helper.
15. There is no one who shares my interests and concerns.
16. I always have someone to keep my company.
17. People always want me to be part of their life.
18. I have someone to run to when things get out of hand.
19. I feel the whole world is on my head.
20. I am often assisted whenever I need foodstuff.
21. I have no cause to panic because I feel someone somewhere will assist.
22. Everybody goes to work to get my needs met.
23. Most of my needs are always well-met.
24. I do get more than enough when I ask.
25. I feel refreshed at every escape from difficulties.
26. I do believe there is always an answer.
27. I am much more comfortable with the way I’m been assisted in my daily needs.
28. All the help I do receive in times of need are never enough.
29. The assistance I often receive do come at the wrong time.
30. I have never been supported by anybody.
31. Keeping friends as not been profitable to me.
32. Counting on love ones in the time of need is always discouraging.