Translation, cross-language validation, and psychometric evaluation of the Spousal Social Support Questionnaire in Urdu

Maria Muzaffar Janjua, Anila Kamal

Accepted April 2, 2026

First published April 2, 2026

Abstract

In order to use the Spousal Social Support Questionnaire (Xu & Burleson, 2001) in a Pakistani cultural
setting, the current study sought to translate and cross-language validate it into Urdu. Five aspects of spousal support
are evaluated by the questionnaire: tangible, informational, network, emotional, and esteem support. To ensure semantic
and conceptual equivalency, bilingual experts and subject matter specialists were involved in the translation process,
which adhered to Brislin’s (1976) forward-backward translation methodology. To determine cross-language equivalency,
the same participants (N = 365) filled out the questionnaire in its original English, forward-translated Urdu, and backwardtranslated
English versions. Internal consistency analysis, Pearson correlations between language versions, and
confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were all part of the psychometric evaluation. The results demonstrated that the Urdu
version had excellent reliability (Cronbach’s a = .86-.96). Strong and statistically significant cross-language correlations
were found between the total and subscale scores, indicating that the versions were equivalent. With a good model fit
(c²/df = 2.1, CFI = .94, RMSEA = .05), CFA validated the initial five-factor structure. Significant positive correlations with
the Satisfaction with Life Scale (r = .63, p<.01) provided additional support for convergent validity. Overall, results show
that the Spousal Social Support Questionnaire in Urdu is a valid and dependable tool for evaluating spousal support in
Pakistan.

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Janjua Maria Muzaffar . Kamal Anila . Translation, cross-language validation, and psychometric evaluation of the Spousal Social Support Questionnaire in Urdu. BPA Applied Psychology Bulletin. 2026;305(1):52-63.

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Author Surname Author Initial. Title. Publication Title. Year Published;Volume number(Issue number):Pages Used. doi:DOI Number.


Janjua Maria Muzaffar . Kamal Anila . Translation, cross-language validation, and psychometric evaluation of the Spousal Social Support Questionnaire in Urdu. BPA Applied Psychology Bulletin. 2026;305(1):52-63.