Protocol - Social Relationship Quality
Description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship (SR) Scales are a self-administered measure with 45 items across 6 scales, including emotional and instrumental support (aspects of social support), friendship and loneliness (aspects of companionship), and perceived rejection and hostility (aspects of social distress).
Specific Instructions
The PhenX Substance Use and Recovery Working Group (WG) recommends this National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox® protocol. For additional information regarding NIH Toolbox® instruments (including scoring, validity, and interpretation), please visit: www.healthmeasures.net. For specific information about this instrument, please visit:
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=641&Itemid=992
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=659&Itemid=992
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=652&Itemid=992
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=8844&Itemid=992
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=681&Itemid=992
www.healthmeasures.net/index.php?option=com_instruments&view=measure&id=679&Itemid=992
Protocols may include terms and language that could be triggering to respondents. Investigators are encouraged to have resources in place to help respondents cope with triggers as needed.
Terminology related to substances, substance use, and recovery is fluid. Updates in protocol language may be appropriate based on circumstance. Suggestions for revision have been offered to update answer responses or other components of the questionnaires to account for the constantly changing landscape. These suggestions have not been tested or validated in research studies but may be considered by investigators to enhance relevance.
Availability
This protocol is freely available; permission not required for use.
Protocol
NIH Toolbox Social Relationship (SR) Scales
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Instruction Set for Social Support (Emotional/Instrumental Support) items: For the next set of questions, please read each statement and then decide how much each applies to you in the past month. |
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Emotional Support |
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1. I have someone who understands my problems |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. I have someone who will listen to me when I need to talk |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. I feel there are people I can talk to if I am upset |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. I have someone to talk with when I have a bad day |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. I have someone I trust to talk with about my problems |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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6. I have someone I trust to talk with about my feelings |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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7. I can get helpful advice from others when dealing with a problem |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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8. I have someone to turn to for suggestions about how to deal with a problem |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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Instrumental Support |
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1. Someone is around to make my meals if I am unable to do it myself |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. I have someone to take me shopping if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. I have someone to help me if I’m sick in bed |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. I have someone to pick up medicine for me if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. I have someone to take me to the doctor if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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6. There is someone around to help me if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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7. I can find someone to drive me places if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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8. I can get help cleaning up around my home if I need it |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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Instruction Set for Companionship (Friendship/Loneliness) items: |
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Friendship |
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1. I get invited to go out and do things with other people |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. I have friends I get together with to relax |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. There are people around with whom to have fun |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. I can find a friend when I need one |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. I feel like I have lots of friends |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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6. I have friends who will have lunch with me when I want |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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7. I feel close to my friends |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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8. I feel like I’m part of a group of friends |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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Loneliness |
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1. I feel alone and apart from others |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. I feel left out |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. I feel that I am no longer close to anyone |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. I feel alone |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. I feel lonely |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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Instruction Set for Social Distress (Perceived Rejection / Hostility) items: |
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Perceived Rejection |
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1. Don't listen when I ask for help |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. Act like my problems aren’t that important |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. Let me down when I am counting on them |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. Act like they don’t have time for me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. Act like they don’t want to hear about my problems |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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6. Act like they don’t care about me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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7. Act like they can’t be bothered by me or my problems |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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8. Avoid talking to me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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Perceived Hostility |
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1. Argue with me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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2. Act in an angry way toward me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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3. Criticize the way I do things |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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4. Yell at me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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5. Get mad at me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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6. Blame me when things go wrong |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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7. Act nasty to me |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
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8. Tease me in a mean way |
1[ ]= Never 2[ ]= Rarely 3[ ]= Sometimes 4[ ]= Usually 5[ ]= Always |
Personnel and Training Required
NoneEquipment Needs
NoneRequirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | Yes |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adult
Participants
Adults ages 18 and older
Selection Rationale
The NIH Toolbox Adult Relationship Scales is a well-established, reliable, and valid self-report instrument that is easy to administer and score.
Language
English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not Applicable
Protocol Name from Source
NIH Toolbox Adult Relationship Scales
Source
Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A., Pilkonis, P. A., Salsman, J. M., & Cella, D. (2013). Assessing social support, companionship, and distress: National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales. Health Psychology, 32(3), 293–301.
doi.org/10.1037/a0028586
General References
Cohen, S., Mermelstein, R., Kamarck, T., & Hoberman, H. M. (1985). Measuring the Functional Components of Social Support. In S. Cohen, R. Mermelstein, T. Kamarck, & H. M. Hoberman (Eds.), Social Support: Theory, Research and Applications (pp. 73-94). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Netherlands.
Russell, D., Peplau, L. A., & Cutrona, C. E. (1980). The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: concurrent and discriminant validity evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(3), 472–480.
doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.39.3.472
Protocol ID
590101
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping |
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Measure Name
Social Relationship
Release Date
January 30, 2025
Definition
Social relationship quality is described as encompassing three areas: (1) social support (the extent to which an individual views his or her social relationships as available to provide aid in times of need); (2) companionship (encompassing friendship, or the availability of companions with whom to interact or affiliate; intimacy, or the availability of people with whom one feels emotionally close or connected; and absence of loneliness, or the perception that one is lonely or socially isolated from others); and (3) social distress (defined as the extent to which an individual perceives his or her daily social interactions as negative or distressing).
Purpose
Social relationship quality has been linked to broader health outcomes, is widely relevant to the population, and may change over time (and in response to interventions). Social relationship quality has been related to substance use disorder (SUD) recovery outcomes and is often focal in SUD interventions.
Keywords
substance use disorder, SUD, mental health services, social relationship, SR, loneliness, depression, polysubstance use, relapse, social network, SN, substance use, addiction, recovery, social connectedness
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 590101 | Social Relationship Quality |