P-040 the Reliability and Validity of the Arabic-Return to Work Self-Efficacy (Rtwse-19) Questionnaire

Introduction The Arabic-Return to Work Self-Efficacy (A-RTWSE-19) questionnaire is a self-report measure intended to assess workers’ beliefs of their current ability to resume regular job responsibilities. Objective To translate and assess the reliability and validity of the A-RTWSE-19. Methods Ninety participants, 60 (66.7%) healthy, and 30 (33.3%) participants having Hand Injury (HI) with an age range of 18-64 (M=34.5, SD=12.4) were recruited for a cross-sectional study RTWSE-19 was translated into Arabic, and its reliability was tested by Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was tested by comparing working and not working healthy participants. Results The Cronbach’s α reliability for all RTWSE-19 items was very high (α =.869). The three scale factors showed high reliability in communication needs (α =.649), modifying tasks (α =.738), and very high reliability in meeting demands (α =.858). The ICC ranged from high in meeting demands (ICC=.790) and modifying tasks (ICC=.769) to very high ICC in communication needs (ICC=.849). The working healthy participants have significantly higher mean than not working healthy participants in all RTWSE-19 scales t(58) =2.60, p=.006, and its factors indicated appropriate construct validity. Discussion RTWSE-19 can be used to identify individuals needing additional support or interventions to improve their self-efficacy and their chances of successfully returning to work. Conclusion The A- RTWSE-19 is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing the workers’ beliefs of their current ability to resume regular job responsibilities among Palestinian HI patients.