Development and validation of the Illinois Brief Functioning Inventory

David R. Strauser, Chelsea E. Brehmer, Phillip Rumrill, D. George Strauser, Brian Phillips, John F. Kosciulek, Sa Shen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Individuals with disabilities experience disruptions in life participation at the onset or exacerbation of a disability. The multiple dimensions of functioning impacted go beyond the symptoms of a disabling condition and assessing an individual's level of functioning is a critical first step of a strengths-based rehabilitation approach. With functioning playing an important role in the vocational rehabilitation process, it would be important to have an assessment tool that can be used to measure an individual's level of functioning. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Illinois Brief Functioning Inventory (IBFI), a scale developed to measure the multi-dimensional nature of functioning as it relates to vocational rehabilitation, career development, and employment of people with disabilities. METHODS: Factor analysis, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), was used to determine and validate the underlying dimension of IBFI. RESULTS: Overall, the study findings indicate strong psychometrics for a 26-item instrument comprised of five meaningful subscales identifying functioning across physical, cognitive, and emotional dimensions. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide initial psychometric support regarding the IBFI as an instrument that can be used to identify an individual's current level of functioning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249-259
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Volume57
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This paper was developed with support from the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Targeted Communities (VRTAC-TC or Project E3) at the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (Grant number H264F15003). The ideas, opinions, and conclusions expressed, however, are those of the authors, and do not represent recommendations, endorsements, or policies of the US Department of Education.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • career development
  • factor analysis
  • Functioning
  • vocational rehabilitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation
  • Occupational Therapy

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