Factorial structure and psychometric properties of Persian Version of Social Comparisons Orientation Scale (SCOS)

Social comparisons are an essential source of information about the self.  This research aimed to evaluate the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the social comparisons orientation scale. 211 high school students of Noshahr City in 2015-2016 academic year were selected by cluster randomized sampling method. They completed the Persian version of social comparisons orientation scale and self-efficacy and optimism subscales of psychological capital scale. To analyze the data, Cornbrash’s alpha coefficient, correlation coefficient, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used. Primary Scale Reliability that calculate through Cronbach's alpha coefficients was 0/71. Ability and opinion factors were extracted as using principal components analysis method and Varimax rotation. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of ability factor, opinion factory, and Persian version of social comparisons orientation scale were found to be 0/72, 0/80, and 0/80 respectively, which were statistically significant. The scale validity was confirmed by using criterion and construct validity. Results of exploratory factor analysis supported the factorial structure of two-factor model. According to the results, it can be concluded that this scale has a good validity and reliability for Iranian samples and can be used in future studies related to social comparison.