Validation of the Lubben-6 Scale to measure social support network in older adults in Chile.
Abstract
Introduction. Assessing social support networks requires reliable and valid instruments, which are apparently nonexistent for older adults in Chile. The objective here is to adapt and further validate the Argentine version of the Lubben-6 Social Support Network Scale for Chile, an instrument of Anglo-American origin, with Spanish versions in Argentina and Puerto Rico. Methodology. Psychometric study, with a sample of 346 older adults (76.8% women) from four cities in northern, central, and southern Chile, selected based on availability and convenience, who answered a survey (November 2023 to March 2024) including sociodemographic items, the Lubben-6, plus a happiness scale, a self-assessment health scale, and items to measure social connection and disengagement, and satisfaction in different areas. Results. The Lubben-6 obtained adequate Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.766, with 0.71 for the family dimension and 0.76 for the friends dimension. Confirmatory factor analysis reproduced its original two-dimensional structure (χ² = 46.23, df = 8, p < .001), with adequate fit values, reaffirming its construct validity. Supporting criterion validity were significant positive correlations with happiness (0.214**) and its subdimensions, and significant negative correlations with items of social disengagement, as well as partial invariance between sexes. Discussion. The psychometric properties of the scale are adequate and consistent with those reported internationally. Conclusions. The current version of the Lubben-6 can be used reliably and validly in the elderly population in Chile.
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Funding data
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Universidad de Talca
Grant numbers CIES-003
