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Assessing Social Connectedness Among Persons with Schizophrenia: Psychometric Evaluation of the Perceived Social Connectedness Scale

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was a psychometric evaluation of the 4-item perceived social connectedness (PSC) scale. The study analyzed secondary data from a project that assessed physical, behavioral, and social health characteristics of adults with serious mental illness receiving integrated services at community mental health centers (CMHs). The current sample comprised those diagnosed with schizophrenia attending these CMHs (N = 146). Most participants were African-American males who receive disability benefits with Medicaid as health insurance. The sample self-reported low-to-moderate levels of social connectedness, daily functioning, and symptom severity. Factor analysis of the PSC scale revealed one dimension, accounting for 66% of total variance, with strong item loadings. Reliability coefficients indicated sufficient scale internal consistency. Construct validity was suggested via the PSC scale’s directional, significant convergence with daily functioning and symptom severity. Implications include the application of the PSC scale for this socioeconomically disadvantaged population that customarily lacks meaningful social networks.

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Acknowledgments

Some content on this manuscript was taken, with permission, from a graduate thesis by Mary E. Heintz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Social Work, 313 HPL Fieldhouse, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Scott E. Wilks PhD, Mary E. Heintz MSW, CSW, Catherine M. Lemieux PhD & Xi Du MA

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  1. Scott E. Wilks PhD
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  2. Mary E. Heintz MSW, CSW
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Correspondence to Scott E. Wilks PhD.

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Ethical guidelines of researchers’ evaluative independence and requisite objectivity throughout the study were followed, as required by the LSU Institutional Review Board.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

Data from this study were obtained from a previous research project supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Grant No. SM-59688, Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration. The views reported in this manuscript do not represent those of SAMHSA CMHS.

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Wilks, S.E., Heintz, M.E., Lemieux, C.M. et al. Assessing Social Connectedness Among Persons with Schizophrenia: Psychometric Evaluation of the Perceived Social Connectedness Scale. J Behav Health Serv Res 47, 113–125 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-019-09656-6

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