Internal consistency and accuracy of Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-40) in mothers of healthy children and those with a medical history

Abstract

Introduction and objective The aim of the study was assessment of the internal consistency and accuracy of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List – 40 v. GP (ISEL-40 v. GP) in a group of mothers of healthy children and in a group of mothers of children with a medical history, and presentation of the initial research results. Material and methods A group of 230 mothers were involved in the research: 57 mothers of healthy children, 26 mothers of infants with a perinatal medical history, as well as 147 mothers of hospitalized children. The method of a diagnostic survey with standardized tools, such as the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-40 v. GP), Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and the authors’ own questionnaire was utilized. Results Analysis of the research results suggests satisfactory internal consistency of the ISEL-40 v. GP in the researched group (α=0.86). It was also noticed that internal consistency of the subscales varied. The subscales of tangible support (α=0.79) and belonging support (α=0.73) obtained acceptable values. Internal consistency of self-esteem support (α=0.51) and appraisal support (α=0.62) was too low to be recommended for individual and scientific use. An attempt to modify the number of items did not come up to expectations in terms of the subscales internal consistency. Social support in mothers of healthy and ill children was moderate (29.92 – 33.45 points) and no statistically significant differences in their perception of the support were observed. Conclusions In the research on a group of mothers of healthy and ill children it is recommended to use only a social support indicator based on the general result of the ISEL-40 v. GP. Further research aimed at verification of the theoretical structure of the Polish version of the ISEL-40 v. GP is advised.

Keywords

• social support
• Interpersonal Support Evaluation List
• ISEL-40
• social support of mothers