The Group-Leader Self-Assessment (GLSA) Tool: Preliminary Study of Reliability and Validity

ABSTRACT

Group leadership is a complex process of understanding group dynamics and leader actions. Practitioners of all disciplines need training to effectively lead groups. Psychometrically sound measures are needed to assess effectiveness of group-leader training. The Group Leader Self-Assessment (GLSA) tool, developed to address this need, demonstrates sound psychometric properties including sensitivity to change (pre- to posttest summary scores t = 15.79. p < .0001. Cohen’s d = 1.74), strong internal consistency (Cronbach α > .90), and high test retest reliability (ICC (3, 1) =.92; F 26.08; df1 = 16; p < .0001). Study results suggest GLSA use may help trainees identify goals for skill development and realize growth in leadership abilities.

KEYWORDS:

• group-leader training
• group-leader functions
• outcome-measurement tool
• reliability and validity
• exploratory factor analysis

Acknowledgments

The first author extends deepest thanks to former occupational therapy research students and colleagues who assisted on this journey: Temor Amin-Arsala; Haley O’Connor; Kathleen Mifsud; Kathleen Garrity; Emily Harrop; Rachel Suydam; Andrea Tavares; Tori Bishop; Hannah Goldner; Lindsay Keegan; Gabrielle Mele-Algus; Christina Sexton; Jean Smith, MA, MS, OT; Lisa Payne, PhD; Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, FAOTA; and Nancy Baker, PhD, FAOTA.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

Support for statistical analysis was funded in part by the Virginia Auty Nedved-Cook, BSOT ’52 Endowed Student Research Award. The project was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Tufts University.

Notes on contributors

Mary Alicia Barnes

Mary Alicia Barnes, OTD, OTR/L, Lecturer, has co-led training and mentoring groups for occupational therapy masters students for 25 years. Mary has co-authored numerous publications and has co-led presentations related to group theory and practice. 

Sharan L. Schwartzberg

Sharan L. Schwartzberg, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CGP, FAGPA, Professor Emeritus, taught group theory in occupational therapy for over 35 years. She has led occupational therapy and interdisciplinary training groups nationally and internationally and has numerous publications related to group theory.

Gary Bedell

Gary Bedell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor, has taught doctoral level research and outcomes courses and has developed a number of measures related to participation. He has published and presented nationally and international on instrument development as well as his research regarding an app based coaching social participation intervention.

Eleanor Counselman

Eleanor Counselman, EdD, CGP, LFAGPA, is the immediate past President of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She has numerous publications related to group leadership and has led interdisciplinary training groups for over 30 years. 

Elizabeth Marfeo

Elizabeth Marfeo, PhD, MPH, OTR/L Assistant Professor, teaches research courses and is Director of the Health and Productive Aging Lab. Dr. Marfeo's research and publications are in measurement development, work disability and healthy aging. Dr. Marfeo holds a secondary appointment as Assistant Professor at Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).