Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)
Measuring perceived social support across 4 dimensions
Do you have people you can turn to when you need help? The ISEL assesses your perceived social support across 4 dimensions: Appraisal, Tangible, Self-esteem, and Belonging. 40 items, just a few minutes, with instant dimension-level scores.
What Is the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)?
The ISEL measures how much social support you feel is available — whether there's someone to talk to, help out, or just be around. Cohen and Hoberman (1983) developed this 40-item scale covering four types of support.
Dimension Structure
The ISEL has 4 subscales, each with 10 items:
| Subscale | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Appraisal Support | Having someone to talk to and provide advice |
| Tangible Support | Availability of practical/material help |
| Self-esteem Support | Maintaining self-esteem through social comparison |
| Belonging Support | Having people to do things with / sense of belonging |
Scoring
Each item is rated on a 0-3 scale. Higher scores indicate greater perceived social support.
Reliability & Validity
Internal consistency: α = 0.70-0.90 per subscale. Test-retest: r = 0.70-0.85.
Important: The ISEL is a research instrument, not a clinical diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your social support system, please consult a mental health professional.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 40 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.