Abstract:
Abstract – Social support (SS) is considered as an important component in improving quality of
life of cancer patients. In Sri Lankan context how SS can be measured and evaluated in cancer
patients is not well understood. This study was examined the Sinhala version of the
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for its psychometric properties. The
scale has 3 dimensions; family (FA), friends (FR), and significant others (SO) support. The research
was approved by the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Galle. A total of 40 cancer
patients at the Radiotherapy unit, Oncology ward, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya in Southern Sri
Lanka were enrolled ‘first come-first serve’ basis using their appointment register in 2013.
Participants were asked to complete three scales; the MSPSS, the Centre for Epidemiological
Studies – Depression scale (CES-D) and the World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief scale
(WHOQOL-BREF). In addition, their socio-demographic data were recorded. To test-retest
reliability of the scale, the same group of participants were asked to fill the same scales two
weeks later. Results were regarded as statistically significant if p < 0.05. Mean (±SD) age of the
sample was 61(±12) years. Mean score (±SD) for overall SS was 65(±7). The Sinhala-MSPSS was
found to have a negative correlation with the CES-D (divergent validity), but was positively
correlated with the WHOQOL-BREF (convergent validity). The internal consistency of the overall
scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.75). FA and SO showed high Cronbach’s alpha (0.983 and
0.996). The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.86. The Sinhala version of MSPSS is a valid and
reliable tool to assess SS of cancer patients.
