Psychometric properties of the Worker Role Interview

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Psychometrics
• Vocational rehabilitation

Background:

• The Worker Role Interview (WRI) is used to assess psychosocial capacity for work.
• Evaluating the psychometric properties of the WRI rating scale is crucial for its reliable application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the psychometric properties of the WRI rating scale.
• To determine if WRI items validly measure psychosocial capacity for work.
• To assess if WRI items discriminate between individuals with varying psychosocial abilities.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 440 participants across the US, Sweden, and Iceland.
• A many-faceted Rasch model was employed for data analysis.
• 21 raters provided data for the study.

Main Results:

• Most WRI scale items effectively measured the intended construct.
• Items were ordered according to the underlying construct, as hypothesized.
• The scale demonstrated validity for 90.23% of participants across diverse demographics.
• WRI items successfully stratified participants into approximately three distinct levels of ability.
• 17 out of 21 raters utilized the scale validly.

Conclusions:

• The WRI scale and its items are psychometrically sound.
• The WRI is a valid measure of psychosocial capacity for work.
• The scale's effectiveness is demonstrated across various ages, diagnoses, and cultures.