MSPSS · Social support
If you want to take a look at who you feel you can lean on
Source · Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. J Pers Assess. 1988;52(1):30–41.
Social support: who can help, and with what?
The MSPSS uses 12 items to explore perceived support from family, friends and a significant other. This page uses an English translation of the CareOps Korean version and labels the third source as a special person, following the wording of its items.
Reading your results
Consider how available help and comfort feel, rather than how many people you know. The same total can hide different patterns across the three sources. The author’s scoring guidance uses item means; this screen shows total and subscale sums with descriptive ranges. A lower score can help identify support you need, rather than a personal failing.
A question to reflect on
Choose one thing you need help with this week. Who could you ask, and for what? The person who listens may differ from the person who helps with a practical task. If nobody comes to mind, note the support you would like to explore in your next counseling session.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions are in the MSPSS social support check, and how long does it take?
- There are 12 questions, and it usually takes about 2 minutes. For each question you choose one of 7 answers, from “Very strongly disagree” to “Very strongly agree”. There are no right or wrong answers.
- What are the three sources?
- Four items each ask about support you feel from family, friends and one special person. The same total can hide different patterns, so the results show where you feel help and comfort is available.
- How should I read a low score?
- The score reflects how available help feels, not how many people you know. A lower area is a clue to where support might be needed, rather than a personal failing. Start by thinking of one person who would feel least difficult to contact.
- How is the score calculated?
- You answer 12 items on a seven-point scale, and the screen shows total and subscale sums with descriptive ranges. The author’s scoring guidance uses item means, so divide a sum by its number of items to compare with figures in the research.
- Do I need to sign in? Are my answers saved?
- You can see your results right away without signing in. Your answers are used only for scoring and are not stored on our servers.
- Can I bring these results into a counseling session?
- Use the analysis button at the bottom of the result screen to have a short conversation with Maeumi without signing in. After the conversation, you can continue in the app. The web conversation does not transfer automatically to the app.
- Can I share my results with a friend?
- Yes. Use Share at the top right of the result screen to send a friend the check itself, or share your result as a link or story image. A result link carries your scores inside the address only; it does not include your name or account, and nothing is saved on our side.