Testing the psychometric properties of the Participation Scale in Eastern Nepal.

PURPOSE: To test the psychometric properties of the Participation Scale (P-scale) among people with various disabling conditions in Eastern Nepal.

METHODS: A sample of 153 individuals with disabling conditions was selected through systematic random sampling. The following psychometric properties were tested: structural validity (explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses), internal consistency, inter-tester reliability, construct validity and floor and ceiling effects.

RESULTS: The explanatory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure ('work-related participation' and 'general participation'). The confirmatory factor analysis suggested good model fit. The internal consistency measured with Cronbach's alpha was 0.93 for the whole scale and 0.78 and 0.93 for the subscales. The inter-tester reliability coefficient was 0.90. All hypothesized correlations were as expected confirming the construct validity of the scale. No floor or ceiling effects were identified for the whole scale; only the subscale 'work-related participation' showed a ceiling effect.

CONCLUSION: The results of the analyses suggest that the psychometric properties of the P-scale are sufficient in the context of Eastern Nepal. Use of the P-scale will require (re-) confirmation of its validity in each new cultural context.