Abstract
The Relative Mastery Scale shows sound psychometric characteristics, supporting application as an assessment of participants’ perceptions of their internal occupational adaptation.
Primary Author and Speaker: Lorrie George-Paschal
Additional Authors and Speakers: Nancy E. Krusen
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Relative Mastery Scale (RMS). Specific aims explored the number of factors, unidimensionality, and order of item difficulty. Researchers recruited a cross-sectional convenience sample of community-dwelling, English speaking and reading adults. The RMS is a self-reported measure of relative mastery for individual-selected occupational goals. The instrument include six items rated on a 5-point scale (−2 to +2) and a single open-ended item. Scaled items include −2 as the lowest relative mastery rating and +2 as the highest relative mastery. Two items each address effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction (Schkade & Schultz, 1992, Schultz & Schkade, 1992). Researchers followed IRB procedure for approval, and participant recruitment and consent. Classical test theory and Rasch measurement supported comprehensive examination of validity and reliability. A total of 368 participants were 18 to 95 years; 290 female, 64 male, (14 non reporting). Spearman’s correlation coefficients between items were statistically significant at the .01 level. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was .94 showing strong internal consistency. In exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Factor 1 accounted for 71% of variance with an eigenvalue of 4.26. In Rasch analysis, the 5-point rating scale demonstrated adequate functioning, confirmed unidimensionality, and person/item separation. Statistical analysis of the six-item RMS indicated interrelated items without duplication (Spearman’s correlation); internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha); a solid, single factor (EFA); unidimensionality of the underlying construct of relative mastery (Rasch analysis). This valid, reliable, person-centered instrument supports practice in value-based health care and community-based settings. The instrument may be applied across populations and settings.
George-Paschal, L., Krusen, N. E., & Fan, C.-W. (2022). Psychometric evaluation of the Relative Mastery Scale: An Occupational Adaptation instrument. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 42(2), 154–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492211060877
George-Paschal, L., & Grajo, L. (2019). Adaptation as a measure of occupational participation. In L.C. Grajo & A. Boisselle’s, Occupation and adaptation: Multidimensional Perspectives (Eds). Slack, Inc.
George-Paschal., L., & Krusen, N.E. (2021). Applying Occupational Adaptation assessments to practice, education, and research. COTEC-ENOTHE Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
Schkade, J. K., & Schultz, S. (1992). Occupational adaptation: Toward a holistic approach for contemporary practice: I. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46(9), 829–837. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.9.829