The Validity of the Student Academic Support Scale: Associations with Social Support and Relational Closeness

Abstract

This study validates the Student Academic Support Scale (SASS), a 15-item multidimensional measure assessing informational, esteem, motivational, and venting support. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed good model fit and replicated prior CFA tests (Mazer & Thompson, 2011; Thompson & Mazer, 2009). Correlations between student academic support and traditional social support measures provided convergent validity evidence. A positive association between student academic support and relational closeness suggests that the SASS construct is related to other theoretically similar constructs, providing evidence for construct validity. Discriminant validity evidence was established, suggesting that the SASS is distinct from measures of traditional social support.

Keywords:

• Relational Closeness
• Scale Development
• Student Academic Support

Notes

Note. IS = Informational Support; ES = Esteem Support; MS = Motivational Support; VS = Venting Support.

Note. Disattenuated correlations appear within parenthesis.

*Correlations are significant at p < .05. **Correlations are significant at p < .01.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph P. Mazer

Joseph P. Mazer (Ph.D., Ohio University) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Clemson University.

Blair Thompson

Blair Thompson (Ph.D. University of Nebraska–Lincoln) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Western Kentucky University.