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Research Article  |   May 2004
Psychometric Properties of the Scorable Self-Care Evaluation
Melinda H. Tarbell; Alexis D. Henry; Wendy J. Coster
Author Affiliations
  • Melinda H. Tarbell, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapy Clinician, Acute Care Rehabilitation Department, Concord Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire 03301; mtarbell@highstream.net
  • Alexis D. Henry, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, and Adjunct Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Wendy J. Coster, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Professor and Director of Occupational Therapy Programs, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
Article Information
Assessment Development and Testing / Self-Care Evaluation
Research Article   |   May 2004
Psychometric Properties of the Scorable Self-Care Evaluation
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, May/June 2004, Vol. 58, 324-332. doi:10.5014/ajot.58.3.324
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, May/June 2004, Vol. 58, 324-332. doi:10.5014/ajot.58.3.324
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine evidence for the reliability and validity of the Scorable Self-Care Evaluation (SSCE), an 18-item assessment of observed and perceived self-care performance commonly used with persons with psychiatric disabilities.

METHOD. As part of a longitudinal study, 70 adults with psychiatric disabilities were administered two cognitive measures, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Logical Memory subscales of the Weschler Memory Scale, at baseline, and the SSCE at follow-up. After transforming the weighted item scores, intraclass correlation coefficients were used to examine inter-rater reliability and Rasch analysis was used to examine internal consistency of the SSCE. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to examine construct validity.

RESULTS. High interrater reliabilities were found for the four subscale scores (ICCs ranging from .96 to 1.00, p < .001) and the total scores (ICC =. 98, p < .001) of the SSCE. Rasch analysis indicated that no items misfit; however, some items showed a weak distribution across all possible scores. The SSCE subscale and total scores correlated to varying degrees with the cognitive measures.

CONCLUSION. The SSCE has the potential to be a reliable and valid clinical measure, as demonstrated by the results of the current study. However, these results were only achieved using a transformation of the current scoring system for the SSCE, pointing to the need for further revision of the test items and scoring system.