Measuring technology self efficacy: reliability and construct validity of a modified computer self efficacy scale in a clinical rehabilitation setting

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a modification of the computer self efficacy scale for use in clinical settings and to report on the modified scale’s reliability and construct validity. Methods: The computer self efficacy scale was modified to make it applicable for clinical settings (for use with older people or people with disabilities using everyday technologies). The modified scale was piloted, then tested with patients in an Australian inpatient rehabilitation setting (n = 88) to determine the internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed by correlation of the scale with age and technology use. Factor analysis using principal components analysis was undertaken to identify important constructs within the scale. Results: The modified computer self efficacy scale demonstrated high internal consistency with a standardised alpha coefficient of 0.94. Two constructs within the scale were apparent; using the technology alone, and using the technology with the support of others. Scores on the scale were correlated with age and frequency of use of some technologies thereby supporting construct validity. Conclusions: The modified computer self efficacy scale has demonstrated reliability and construct validity for measuring the self efficacy of older people or people with disabilities when using everyday technologies. This tool has the potential to assist clinicians in identifying older patients who may be more open to using new technologies to maintain independence.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Technology is playing an increasing role in supporting older people or people with disabilities to function safely and independently in their own home.

• Assessment tools that are able to predict those people that are more likely to successfully adopt new technologies will be useful to clinicians.

• A modified version of the computer self efficacy scale appears to be a promising way of measuring technology self efficacy in a clinical rehabilitation population.

Keywords::

• Self efficacy
• technology
• rehabilitation
• activities of daily living

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the participants that took part in this study and statistical advice provided by Pawel Skuza, Flinders University. Kate Laver is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.

Appendix: The modified computer self efficacy scale

Imagine that you have been given a new technology for some aspect of daily living (for example new alarm clock/cordless phone/answering machine). It doesn’t matter specifically what this technology does, only that it is intended to make your life easier and that you have never used it before.

The following questions ask you to indicate whether you could use this unfamiliar technology under a variety of conditions. For each of the conditions, please rate your confidence about using the new technology on the scale of 1–10.

I could use the new technology…