Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) -- General Population
This scale is made up of a list of statements each of which may or may not be true about you. For each statement check “definitely true” if you are sure it is true about you and “probably true” if you think it is true but are not absolutely certain. Similarly, you should check “definitely false” if you are sure the statement is false and “probably false” is you think it is false but are not absolutely certain.
1. There are several people that I trust to help solve
my problems.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
2. If I needed help fixing an appliance or repairing
my car, there is someone who would help me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
3. Most of my friends are more interesting than I am.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
4. There is someone who takes pride in my accomplishments.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
5. When I feel lonely, there are several people I can
talk to.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
6. There is no one that I feel comfortable to talking
about intimate personal problems.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
7. I often meet or talk with family or friends.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
8. Most people I know think highly of me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
9. If I needed a ride to the airport very early in the
morning, I would have a hard time finding someone to take me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
10. I feel like I’m not always included by my circle
of friends.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
11. There really is no one who can give me an objective
view of how I’m handling my problems.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
12. There are several different people I enjoy spending
time with.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
13. I think that my friends feel that I’m not very
good at helping them solve their problems.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
14. If I were sick and needed someone (friend, family
member, or acquaintance) to take me to the doctor, I would have
trouble finding someone.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
15. If I wanted to go on a trip for a day (e.g., to the
mountains, beach, or country), I would have a hard time finding
someone to go with me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
16. If I needed a place to stay for a week because of
an emergency (for example, water or electricity out in my apartment
or house), I could easily find someone who would put me up.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
17. I feel that there is no one I can share my most private
worries and fears with.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
18. If I were sick, I could easily find someone to help
me with my daily chores.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
19. There is someone I can turn to for advice about handling
problems with my family.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
20. I am as good at doing things as most other people
are.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
21. If I decide one afternoon that I would like to go
to a movie that evening, I could easily find someone to go with
me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
22. When I need suggestions on how to deal with a personal
problem, I know someone I can turn to.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
23. If I needed an emergency loan of $100, there is someone
(friend, relative, or acquaintance) I could get it from.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
24. In general, people do not have much confidence in
me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
25. Most people I know do not enjoy the same things that
I do.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
26. There is someone I could turn to for advice about
making career plans or changing my job.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
27. I don’t often get invited to do things with
others.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
28. Most of my friends are more successful at making
changes in their lives than I am.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
29. If I had to go out of town for a few weeks, it would
be difficult to find someone who would look after my house or
apartment (the plants, pets, garden, etc.).
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
30. There really is no one I can trust to give me good
financial advice.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
31. If I wanted to have lunch with someone, I could easily
find someone to join me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
32. I am more satisfied with my life than most people
are with theirs.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
33. If I was stranded 10 miles from home, there is someone
I could call who would come and get me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
34. No one I know would throw a birthday party for me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
35. It would me difficult to find someone who would lend
me their car for a few hours.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
36. If a family crisis arose, it would be difficult to
find someone who could give me good advice about how to handle
it.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
37. I am closer to my friends than most other people
are to theirs.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
38. There is at least one person I know whose advice
I really trust.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
39. If I needed some help in moving to a new house or
apartment, I would have a hard time finding someone to help me.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
40. I have a hard time keeping pace with my friends.
____definitely true (3) ____definitely false (0)
____probably true (2) ____probably false (1)
This scale is from:
Cohen, S., & Hoberman, H. (1983). Positive events and social supports as buffers of life change stress. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 13, 99-125. Link to full-text (pdf)
Cohen, S., Mermelstein, R., Kamarck, T., & Hoberman, H. (1985). Measuring the functional components of social support. In I. G. Sarason & B. R. Sarason (Eds.), Social support: Theory, research, and application. The Hague, Holland: Martinus Nijhoff. Link to full-text (pdf)