Social Support Scale (SDÖ)

Perceived social support

SED — Social and Emotional Development 8–12 min School counsellor

Social Support Scale (SDÖ) assesses perceived social support. A measure of how much support the student believes is available to them from family, friends and school. What matters here is the perception, since it is the perception that determines whether support is sought.

What it makes visible

Distinguishes having a support network from believing one has it.
A key moderator: the same difficulty lands differently on a student with and without perceived support.
Useful when planning who should carry a conversation with the student.

Scope and limits

This is a screening and assessment instrument; it does not make a clinical diagnosis. The exact scope of use must be verified against the relevant instrument form, its norm group and the conditions of administration.

SDÖ at a glance

Assessment area	SED — Social and Emotional Development
Measures	Perceived social support
Duration	8–12 min
Level	Lower secondary, Upper secondary
Administered by	School counsellor
Format	Individual / group / digital
Follow-up	Re-assessment after 3–6 months where appropriate

Focus of the area

Making visible how a student sees themselves, their social bonds, their wellbeing and the resources they draw on under stress.

Scenarios that include this instrument

03 — Social-emotional development

Following a student's social and emotional development.

GOYO BS OIO AIS SDÖ

Frequently asked questions

Because a student who does not believe support is available does not ask for it, whatever the network looks like from outside.

Scope note

This structure is designed to support assessment, screening and guidance processes — not to make a clinical diagnosis. The aim is not to diagnose but to know the student more accurately, follow their development and identify the support they need in time.