Social Provisions Scale (SPS)

The Social Provisions Scale is a widely used multidimensional instrument for measuring the degree to which individuals perceive their social relationships as providing essential emotional and practical support. Developed by Carolyn Cutrona and Daniel Russell in 1987, the SPS operationalizes the theory that healthy social support requires six provisions: attachment (emotional closeness), social integration (sense of belonging), reassurance of worth (feeling valued), reliable alliance (practical assistance), guidance (advice and direction), and opportunity for nurturance (ability to care for others). The SPS is used extensively in health psychology, gerontology, and stress and coping research.