Single Item Measure of Social Supports: Evaluation of construct validity during pregnancy

Lack of social support during pregnancy is associated with psychosocial vulnerability. The Single Item Measure of Social Supports (SIMSS) is included in a core outcome set to facilitate case-adjustment based on social support. Validity of the SIMSS has not been evaluated in childbearing women. We aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the SIMSS during pregnancy. Secondary aim was to evaluate an alternative short-measure of social support.

Recruited women (n = 309) attending antenatal care were invited to complete the SIMSS, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Convergent validity of SIMSS with MSPSS and hypothesis testing for psychosocial risk and depressive symptoms were conducted.

Correlations were moderate between the SIMSS and MSPSS (r_s = .35), but weak between the SIMSS and EPDS (r_s = -.18); and SIMSS and ANRQ (r_s = -.22). In contrast, correlations were moderate between the MSPSS and EPDS (r_s = -.39) and ANRQ (r_s = -.45). A shortened 3-item version of the MSPSS showed good psychometric properties and internal consistency reliability (a = .86).

Findings relate to one Australian birthing sample during pregnancy. Replication of this study in larger, diverse maternity populations, including postpartum is recommended.

The SIMSS is a poor measure of social support during pregnancy with poor predictive ability to detect maternal vulnerability including depression and psychosocial risk. A revised 3-item version of the MSPSS was found to be a valid and reliable measure of social support.