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Abstract
Background: The Work Behavior Inventory (WBI) was developed in the USA for the assessment of vocational functioning for people with severe mental illness. It is rated in a work setting by an employment specialist through observation and an interview with the immediate supervisor. Aims: The present study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the WBI. Methods: The participants (n = 148) of the Job Management Program (JUMP) study for psychotic disorders were assessed with the WBI around the fourth week of work. A principal component analysis identified three substantial factors. Results: The three corresponding scales were termed Social Skills revised, Work Quality revised and Compliance with work norms. The scales had a high internal consistency. Correlations with the Social Functioning Scale, education and previous work history supported the validity of the subscales. Conclusion: The results indicate that the Norwegian version of the WBI maintains good psychometric properties, and that vocational functioning can be reliably and validly assessed in a Norwegian setting. Clinical implications: There has been a lack of validated assessment tools for this group in Norway. Functional assessment with the WBI provides a comprehensive evaluation of the individuals’ strengths and challenges in the vocational setting, and provides goals for the vocational rehabilitation.
Acknowledgements
The WBI was translated to Norwegian by Psychologist Torill Ueland and Master of Neuroscience Beate Haatveit. It was translated back by Pat Ueland and approved by the original developers. We wish to thank Morris Bell for his cooperation in the translation and use of the WBI, and the participants for taking part in the study. This study was supported by The Norwegian Directorate of Health (08/9457), The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, The South Eastern Norway Health Authority (9297) and The National Council for Mental Health/Health and Rehabilitation (2008/2/0310). No conflict of interest.