[Elaboration and validation of a questionnaire measuring social support in situations of anxiety with a population of university students]

Abstract

A new measure of the social support specifically intended for anxiety disorders has been elaborated ; this new scale entitled "Questionnaire sur les Comportements de Soutien en situation d'Anxiété" (QCSA ; Guay et al., 2003) consists of 65 items measuring positive and negative perceived social support. Among a sample of 257 university students, the QCSA shows good psychometric properties (internal consistency and correlations with related constructs). Results of an exploratory factor analysis identified three factors : 1) criticism and coercive strategies, 2) anxiety management and reinforcement, and 3) distraction. Significant correlations were found with measures of anxiety, functioning and psychological distress. The QCSA is an adequate scale to evaluate social support in relation to mental health.