Refining the psychometric properties of the Trinity Student Occupational Performance Profile – A self-report measure of occupational performance difficulties within the student role

Abstract

Introduction Navigating the transition to university can pose occupational performance difficulties for students with mental health disabilities including those on the autism spectrum or with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study aimed to refine the Trinity Student Occupational Performance Profile (TSOPP) – a self-report measure of occupational performance difficulties within the student role for students with mental health disabilities which is based on the Person-Environment-Occupation model. Method Data from 667 files were gathered from two Irish universities. Rasch analyses were conducted on the measure’s item-sets (i.e. Person N = 30; Environment N = 20; Occupation N = 24) and on an item-set which combined all 74 items. All item-sets were assessed for fit, rating scale functioning, dimensionality, reliability and separation indices. Results The TSOPP demonstrated stronger psychometric properties as a combined item-set which measures the ultimate construct of occupational performance difficulties within the student role. The 6-point scale was collapsed into a 4-point scale and 20 redundant items were removed. The item difficulty hierarchy provided empirical evidence for occupational performance difficulties in the student role. Conclusion The TSOPP is a valid and reliable self-report measure of occupational performance difficulties within the student role for students with mental health disabilities in higher education.