TY - JOUR
T1 - Reliability and validity of a simple measure for assessing the social skill of people with schizophrenia necessary for seeking and securing a job
AU - Tsang, Wing Hong Hector
AU - Pearson, Veronica
PY - 2000/1/1
Y1 - 2000/1/1
N2 - The literature shows that social and vocational impairments are common problems among people with schizophrenia. However, assessment instruments available for measuring social competence of people with schizophrenia in the workplace are limited. This article describes a two-part measure developed and validated based on a model (Tsang and Pearson, 1996) for assessing social skills necessary for seeking and maintaining a job for people with schizophrenia. The measure consists of a 10 item self-administered checklist and a role-play exercise. The self-administered checklist measures clients' perceived competence in handling work-related social situations. The role-play exercise assesses the social skills necessary for job acquisition and maintenance in two simulated situations (participating in a simulated job interview and requesting urgent leave from work). Cronbach alpha coefficients (self-administered checklist:. 80 (n=140); role-play test:. 96 (n=60)) show that both parts had good internal consistency. In addition, correlation coefficients show that the self-administered checklist has acceptable test-retest reliability (.35 to. 78), and the role-play exercise has good interrater reliability (.77 to. 90). The concurrent validity is also shown to be good for both parts of the measure using the method of contrasted groups. It is suggested that this measure is suitable for use by clinicians, rehabilitation administrators and researchers. Application of the instrument in other countries is discussed. Finally, further research is suggested.
AB - The literature shows that social and vocational impairments are common problems among people with schizophrenia. However, assessment instruments available for measuring social competence of people with schizophrenia in the workplace are limited. This article describes a two-part measure developed and validated based on a model (Tsang and Pearson, 1996) for assessing social skills necessary for seeking and maintaining a job for people with schizophrenia. The measure consists of a 10 item self-administered checklist and a role-play exercise. The self-administered checklist measures clients' perceived competence in handling work-related social situations. The role-play exercise assesses the social skills necessary for job acquisition and maintenance in two simulated situations (participating in a simulated job interview and requesting urgent leave from work). Cronbach alpha coefficients (self-administered checklist:. 80 (n=140); role-play test:. 96 (n=60)) show that both parts had good internal consistency. In addition, correlation coefficients show that the self-administered checklist has acceptable test-retest reliability (.35 to. 78), and the role-play exercise has good interrater reliability (.77 to. 90). The concurrent validity is also shown to be good for both parts of the measure using the method of contrasted groups. It is suggested that this measure is suitable for use by clinicians, rehabilitation administrators and researchers. Application of the instrument in other countries is discussed. Finally, further research is suggested.
KW - Schizophrenia
KW - Social behaviour
KW - Work habits and skills
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0033736435&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/000841740006700407
DO - 10.1177/000841740006700407
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 11147375
SN - 0008-4174
VL - 67
SP - 250
EP - 259
JO - Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
JF - Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
IS - 4
ER -