TY - JOUR
T1 - The Perceived Informal Support Questionnaire
T2 - Validation and Clinical Correlates in People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
AU - Fung, Hong Wang
AU - Chau, Anson Kai Chun
AU - Yuan, Guangzhe Frank
AU - Liu, Caimeng
AU - Lee, Vincent Wan Ping
N1 - Funding information:
The first author received The RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2022/2023 from the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong.
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2025/7
Y1 - 2025/7
N2 - Purpose: This study developed and validated a novel measure that captures the diverse positive experiences related to perceived informal support. We also examined its cross-sectional and longitudinal correlates in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: We analyzed data from an international clinical trial. Participants with PTSD symptoms completed assessments at baseline (N = 230) and after 1 month (N = 80). Results: The 34-item Perceived Informal Support Questionnaire (PISQ) had a two-factor structure, was internally consistent, and showed convergent validity with a general measure of social support. Additionally, baseline emotional support predicted fewer depressive symptoms (β = -.356, p = .015) and lower levels of impairments (β = -.271, p = .018) at 1-month follow-up. Discussion: This study offers a novel measure that captures the diverse experiences related to perceived informal support. It also highlights the importance of involving and supporting caregivers of individuals with mental health struggles, specifically PTSD symptoms.
AB - Purpose: This study developed and validated a novel measure that captures the diverse positive experiences related to perceived informal support. We also examined its cross-sectional and longitudinal correlates in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: We analyzed data from an international clinical trial. Participants with PTSD symptoms completed assessments at baseline (N = 230) and after 1 month (N = 80). Results: The 34-item Perceived Informal Support Questionnaire (PISQ) had a two-factor structure, was internally consistent, and showed convergent validity with a general measure of social support. Additionally, baseline emotional support predicted fewer depressive symptoms (β = -.356, p = .015) and lower levels of impairments (β = -.271, p = .018) at 1-month follow-up. Discussion: This study offers a novel measure that captures the diverse experiences related to perceived informal support. It also highlights the importance of involving and supporting caregivers of individuals with mental health struggles, specifically PTSD symptoms.
KW - caregiver
KW - complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD)
KW - scale development
KW - social psychiatry
KW - social support
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85185340947
U2 - 10.1177/10497315241232134
DO - 10.1177/10497315241232134
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85185340947
SN - 1049-7315
VL - 35
SP - 588
EP - 597
JO - Research on Social Work Practice
JF - Research on Social Work Practice
IS - 5
ER -
