Affiliations: Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh,
Scotland, UK | University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,
USA | Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Linkopings
Universitet, Linkoping, Sweden | Occupational Therapy Program, University of Akureyi,
Akureyi, Iceland
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kirsty Forsyth, Senior Lecturer,
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh EH6 8HF Scotland, UK. E-mail:
Kforsyth@qmuc.ac.uk
Abstract: Objectives. This study examined the psychometric properties of
the rating scale of the Worker Role Interview (WRI). The study also asked
whether the scale's items formed a valid measure of the construct, psychosocial
capacity for work, and whether they were targeted to and could effectively
discriminate between persons at different levels of psychosocial ability for
work. Method of study. Data were collected from 21 raters on 440
participants from the United States, Sweden and Iceland. A many-faceted Rasch
model was used to analyze the data. Results. Most items of the scale worked effectively to measure
the underlying construct for which the WRI was designed. In addition, the items
were ordered from least to more of the underlying construct as expected. The
scale validly measured 90.23% of the participants, who varied by
nationality, culture, age and diagnostic status. The scale's items
distinguished participants into approximately three different strata and were
appropriately targeted to the participants. Seventeen of the 21 raters used
scale in a valid manner. Conclusions. The WRI scale and items are valid across ages,
diagnoses, and culture and effectively measure a wide range of persons.
Keywords: Assessment, worker role, model of human occupation
