Empirically Derived Life Skill Factors for Program Evaluation in Rehabilitation

Abstract

Life skills can be viewed as those skills considered essential for effective living. Therefore, significant deficiencies in life skills (e.g., use of public transportation) as well as deficiencies in vocational skills must be addressed through rehabilitation services if desired vocational rehabilitation goals are to be achieved. Consequently, assessment of pre to post changes in the life skills of consumers of rehabilitation services can be viewed as a relevant component of any rehabilitation program evaluation model. This paper reported the development of the Life Skills Inventory (LSI) as one component measure of a multidimensional program evaluation system. Factor analysis results indicated a five-factor solution for the LSI (general employability skills, work-related communication skills, self-direction skills, work tolerance skills, and self-care skills) to be optimal both in terms of parsimony and interpretability, providing empirical evidence for its factorial structure. Cluster analysis, to identify clusters of participants on the basis of their mean item scores on each of the LSI factors, revealed three different subgroup LSI profiles. These groups were subsequently compared on their self-reported quality of life in order to further investigate the construct validity of the LSI. Applications of the LSI within the framework of a multidimensional program evaluation system were discussed.

Assessing Vocational Rehabilitation Engagement of People With Disabilities

“…Participants' vocational self-efficacy was measured by VSES. The VSES was abbreviated from the Life Skills Inventory (LSI) that assesses life skills essential for assertive community living and work (F. Chan, Rubin, Lee, & Pruett, 2003). The scale includes 24 items (e.g., "I know how to prepare for a job that is of interest to me") that measures confidence in performing workrelated activities.…”

“…Participants’ vocational self-efficacy was measured by VSES. The VSES was abbreviated from the Life Skills Inventory (LSI) that assesses life skills essential for assertive community living and work (F. Chan, Rubin, Lee, & Pruett, 2003).…”

Psychometric Validation of the Taiwanese Version of theJob Satisfaction of Persons with Disabilities Scalein a Sample of Individuals with Poliomyelitis

“…Moreover, less is known about the extent to which people with disabilities are satisfied in their jobs and how vocational rehabilitation services have aided in improving their overall quality of life. To improve quality of employment for people with disabilities, policymakers and vocational rehabilitation agency administrators should shift the focus from being solely on short-term employment outcomes, and, instead emphasise the importance of evaluating vocational rehabilitation service outcomes using a multidimensional framework, with a range of outcome components being assessed (Chan, Rubin, Lee, & Pruett, 2003).…”

Assessing Self-Determined Work Motivation in People with Severe Mental Illness: A Factor-Analytic Approach

“…The 15-item Vocational Self-Efficacy Scale (VSES) was adapted from the Life Skills Inventory (LSI) developed by Chan et al (2003) to measure vocational competencies of people with SMI in Clubhouse settings (Fitzgerald, 2013). Each confidence item was rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 0 (cannot do) to 4 (do very well).…”