Occupational Functioning Rating Scale: Development and Validation

T. Jegadeesan, R. Renuchitra

Abstract: Background: Occupational functioning encompasses an individual's ability to effectively perform and participate in meaningful daily activities, including self-care, productivity, and social engagement. Among individuals with mental illness, impairments in occupational functioning are common and can significantly hinder recovery and quality of life. However, there is a dearth of standardized, culturally appropriate assessment tools for evaluating occupational functioning within Indian psychiatric settings. Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate the Occupational Functioning Rating Scale (OFRS), a comprehensive tool tailored to assess occupational functioning in individuals with mental illness in the Indian context. Methods: A two-phase, mixed-methods design was adopted. In Phase 1, focus group discussions with mental health professionals and caregivers led to the generation of 43 preliminary items, reflecting key domains of occupational functioning. Phase 2 involved content validation by expert occupational therapists and psychometric testing with a clinical sample (N=25). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach?s alpha, and construct validity was examined through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results: The OFRS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach?s ? = 0.90). Corrected item-total correlations for most items exceeded the 0.30 threshold, indicating strong item reliability. PCA revealed a 13-factor solution explaining 90.18% of the total variance, supporting the multidimensional nature of occupational functioning. No item deletion significantly improved reliability, supporting the retention of all items. Conclusion: The Occupational Functioning Rating Scale (OFRS) is a psychometrically sound and clinically relevant tool for assessing occupational functioning in individuals with mental illness. Its culturally grounded development and robust reliability make it a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers in Indian mental health and occupational therapy practice.

Keywords: Occupational functioning, mental illness, psychometric validation, occupational therapy, functional assessment, psychiatric rehabilitation

How to Cite?: T. Jegadeesan, R. Renuchitra, "Occupational Functioning Rating Scale: Development and Validation", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 307-312, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25805225043, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25805225043