The short ASSIST scales: measurement properties in a sample of occupational therapy students in the USA

Abstract

Shortening measurement scales can improve the scales’ feasibility, but at the same time, their measurement properties can be affected. This study investigated psychometric properties of the short Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) among occupational therapy students in the United States. The students (n = 120) completed the ASSIST and provided basic socio-demographic and education-related information. Scale structure was examined with Principal Components Analysis (PCA), while consistency between scale items was assessed with Cronbach’s α and inter-item correlations. Three factors were confirmed, but three items showed poor or ambiguous fit with the proposed scales. These items were subsequently removed from the scales, resulting in improved fit with the expected three-factor solution. Cronbach’s α for the amended scales ranged from 0.55-0.70 (mean inter-item correlation 0.20-0.34). In conclusion, the amended short ASSIST scales showed satisfactory psychometric properties for assessing study approaches in the sample. Given the variability in psychometric properties found for the short ASSIST scales across studies, the properties of the instrument should preferably be checked before using the scales with new populations.