Measuring participation enfranchisement

Model System:

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

Journal:

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study developed a measure of participation enfranchisement that assesses the extent to which people with and without disabilities feel they participate in the community in a manner that is personally valuable, as opposed to assessing actual performance of community-based activities. A draft instrument was pilot-tested with 326 adults who had sustained stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or other disabling condition, as well as a general population sample. A revised version of the instrument was administered to a statewide sample drawn from the 2006 Colorado Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System that included 461 persons with and 451 without self-identified activity limitations. Multidimensional scaling, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), followed by rating scale analysis were used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the instrument. EFA identified 3 participation enfranchisement factors that describe perceived choice and control, contributing to one’s community, and feeling valued; the factors were supported marginally by CFA. Rating scale analysis revealed marginal person separation and no misfitting items. The 19 enfranchisement items describe aspects of participation that may prove useful in characterizing longer-term rehabilitation outcomes.

Author(s):

Participating Centers: