Introduction to the Social Connectedness Scale
The Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the extent to which youth feel connected to others within their social environment. Developed by Lee and Robbins in 1995, the SCS has become a widely utilized tool in both research and clinical settings. It provides valuable insights into various dimensions of social connectedness, making it an essential instrument for assessing social integration and emotional well-being.
Target population of this tool
Dimensions of original Social Connectedness scale
The SCS consists of 20 items that assess different dimensions of social connectedness, including:
- Belongingness: The sense of being part of a group or community.
- Closeness: The feeling of being close to others and having intimate relationships.
- Support: The perception of having people to rely on for help and understanding.
- Satisfaction: The level of satisfaction with one’s social relationships.
Each item on the SCS is rated on a 6-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). The total score is obtained by summing the scores for all 20 items, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of social connectedness.
Revised Social Connectedness Scale
In 1998, Lee and Robbins revised the SCS to enhance its psychometric properties. The Revised Social Connectedness Scale includes additional items that further refine the assessment of social connectedness. There are 8 items in the revised scale which are as follows.
- I feel disconnected from the world around me.
- Even around people I know, I don’t feel that I really belong.
- I feel so distant from people.
- I have no sense of togetherness with my peers
- I don’t feel related to anyone.
- I catch myself losing all sense of connectedness with society.
- Even among my friends, there is no sense of brother/sisterhood.
- I don’t feel that I participate with anyone or any group.
The revised scale continues to use a 6-point Likert scale and provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual's social connectedness. These items are designed to capture various aspects of social connectedness, from feelings of belonging and closeness to perceptions of support and satisfaction with social relationships.
Reliability and Validity of the revised SCS
The SCS has demonstrated strong reliability (internal consistency α > .92) and validity (Concurrent validity, Construct validity, Convergent validity, Discriminant validity) as a measure of social connectedness. It has been used in numerous research studies to explore the relationship between social connectedness and various outcomes, such as mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The SCS is also valuable in clinical settings, where it helps to assess social connectedness in individuals with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Applications of the Social Connectedness Scale
Research
The SCS has been extensively used in research to examine how social connectedness influences various aspects of life. Studies have found significant associations between high levels of social connectedness and better mental health, higher self-esteem, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. Researchers have also explored how social connectedness impacts physical health, demonstrating that strong social bonds can lead to improved health outcomes.
Clinical Settings
In clinical settings, the SCS is used to assess the social connectedness of individuals with mental health conditions. For example, clinicians may use the SCS to evaluate the social integration of patients with depression or anxiety, helping to identify areas where interventions are needed to enhance social support and connectedness.
Process to get this tool
Process to calculate score
Conclusion
The Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) is a valuable tool for measuring the extent to which individuals feel connected to others in their social environment. With its robust psychometric properties and wide-ranging applications in research and clinical settings, the SCS provides crucial insights into the role of social connectedness in mental and physical health. By understanding and improving social connectedness, we can enhance overall well-being and quality of life for individuals across various contexts.
References
- Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: The social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42(2), 232-241.
- Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1998). The relationship between social connectedness and anxiety, self-esteem, and social identity. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(3), 338-345.
- Lee, R. M., Draper, M., & Lee, S. (2001). Social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48(3), 310-318.
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