Psychometric properties of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support among iranian patients with cardiovascular diseases

Social support plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health by promoting healthy behaviors and treatment adherence. Accurate assessment of Perceived Social Support using validated tools like the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is essential to identify at-risk individuals and develop effective interventions, especially in culturally specific populations such as Iranian patients with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to elucidate the psychometric characteristics of the Persian version of the MSPSS among the Farsi-speaking population with cardiovascular diseases. This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2025 among a convenience sample of 400 Iranian adults with cardiovascular diseases. The primary objective was to assess the psychometric properties of the MSPSS-P, including construct validity (evaluated through exploratory factor analysis [EFA], confirmatory factor analysis [CFA], and tests of convergent and discriminant validity). Internal consistency was examined to evaluate reliability. The study included participants with a mean age of 42.95 years (SD = 14.02). EFA was based on the polychoric correlation matrix and conducted on all 12 items. Parallel analysis indicated a two-factor solution, which accounted for 78% of the total variance (Factor 1: 47%; Factor 2: 31%). CFA supported the model's structural validity with acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.989, TLI = 0.986, SRMR = 0.046, RMSEA = 0.085), along with favorable reliability and convergent validity estimates. This study validates the MSPSS-P among Iranian CVD patients, confirming its two-factor structure, reliability, and cultural relevance, supporting its use in assessing social support's role in treatment and resilience.