Adolescents' ratings of perceived social support and its importance: Validation of the student social support scale

This study investigated the measurement of social support for adolescents using the Student Social Support Scale(SSSS). A sample of 198 students in grades 7 through 12 completed the SSSS and either the Student Self-Concept Scaleor the Social Skills Rating System. The results provided evidence that the SSSS is a four-factor scale (Parent, Teacher, Classmate, and Close Friend). Analyses also indicated that: (a) the SSSS is highly reliable and moderately stable; (b) social support differed by developmental/age groups and by sex; and (c) relationships exist among social support, self-concept, and social behavior. It was concluded that the SSSS is a promising measure of students' perceived social support for use in both research and practice with children and adolescents. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.