Turkish validity and reliability study of the Menopausal Spousal Support Questionnaire

The main purpose of the research is to demonstrate the scientific validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the Menopausal Spousal Support Questionnaire (MSSQ).

A total of 176 women participated in this methodological study. Research data were gathered through the MSSQ and a personal information form. Following the confirmation of language and content validity, analyses such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item-total correlation, calculation of Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient, test-retest (time invariance), split-half reliability, and comparison of the top and bottom 27% groups were conducted on the data.

Factor analyses confirmed the original four-factor structure of the MSSQ. The total explained variance was 70.824%, and factor loadings ranged between 0.65 and 0.84. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded excellent fit indices (χ²/df = 1.60; Goodness of Fit Index = 0.99; Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index = 0.99; Comparative Fit Index = 1.00; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.059; Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.050), indicating a good model fit without any modifications. The overall Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.933, and all item-total correlations were above 0.40. The average total MSSQ score was 109.24 ± 33.56.

The Turkish version of the MSSQ is a valid and highly reliable instrument for measuring spousal support in postmenopausal women and is appropriate for use within the cultural context of Turkish society.