Validation of the work behavior inventory.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Helen Bull, M.A., Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital , Norway.
Helen
H
Bull
Torill
T
Ueland
June U
JU
Lystad
Stig
S
Evensen
Svein
S
Friis
Egil W
EW
Martinsen
Erik
E
Falkum
D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000592:standards; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*
Employment; Psychosis; Schizophrenia; Vocational functioning; Work