1. Validation of the work-ability support scale in individuals seeking to return to work after severe acquired brain injury.
- Author
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Gates, Thomas M., Daher, Maysaa, McRae, Philippa, and Simpson, Grahame K.
- Subjects
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REHABILITATION for brain injury patients , *WORK capacity evaluation , *CRONBACH'S alpha , *RESEARCH funding , *RESEARCH methodology evaluation , *EXECUTIVE function , *DISABILITY evaluation , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *VOCATIONAL rehabilitation , *PSYCHOMETRICS , *INTRACLASS correlation , *FACTOR analysis , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *EMPLOYMENT reentry , *INTER-observer reliability , *PREDICTIVE validity , *EVALUATION ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
To assess the reliability and validity of the work-ability support scale (WSS) in a severe traumatic/acquired brain injury (TBI/ABI) population seeking to return to work (RTW). One hundred forty-four clients were enrolled in a vocational rehabilitation (VR) intervention trial through the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program in New South Wales, Australia. Each client's primary brain injury clinician and VR provider completed the WSS pre- and post-intervention. Validating measures assessing dysexecutive behavior, disability, participation, and work instability were completed. Several aspects of reliability and validity were evaluated. Internal consistency was excellent for Part A (Cronbach's αs > 0.9) but unacceptably low to questionable for Part B (αs < 0.6). Inter-rater reliability between clinicians and VR providers was generally fair to moderate for Part A (κw < 0.6) and worse for Part B (κw < 0.5), with both slightly improving at post-intervention. Strong support was found for predictive and convergent validity, but not divergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a poor fit for Part A, whereas most Part B fit indices met criteria. The WSS can play a useful role in assessing return to work (RTW) potential, planning and evaluation after severe TBI/ABI. Training could improve consistency of administration among staff working across health and VR service sectors. The work-ability support scale (WSS) has potential as a screening tool in assisting return to work (RTW) assessment, planning, and evaluation, following severe traumatic brain injury and acquired brain injury. Employment success following a RTW intervention was predicted by the initial WSS Part A total score. The low inter-rater reliability between brain injury clinicians in health settings and vocational rehabilitation providers suggests that training will be important to improve consistency in WSS administration across service sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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