Abstract
Internal structure of the 19-item Social Support Survey Scale aimed at estimation of anticipated social support was tested under the Czech ambience conditions using data from 227 women living in community, average age 68, SD = 3.28. On the basis of preliminary analysis one item (18.
Someone who understands your problems) was excluded from the analysis as it loaded on two factors. Using an exploratory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling three correlated first-order factors were identified: Understanding authority, Emotional nearness, Practical intervention.
The Emotional nearness factor and Practical intervention correspond to Affectionate and Tangible Support, respective - factors identified by Sherbourne and Stewart. The Understanding authority factor of the Czech version incorporated both Positive Social Interaction and Emotional/Informational Support items of the original version.
Internal consistency of the scales being 0.94 indicates the possibility of shortening the 11-item long Understanding Authority scale.