Article

Jackson et al. (this edition) argue that structure is an important
component in reducing the handicaps caused by cognitive impairments following
acquired brain injury and that post-acute neuropsychological brain injury
rehabilitation programmes should not only endeavour to provide structure but also
aim to develop self-structuring. However, at present there is no standardized
device for assessing self-structuring. OBJECTIVE: To provide preliminary analysis
of the psychometric properties of the Behavioural Assessment of Self-Structuring
(BASS) staff rating scale (a 26 item informant five point rating scale based on
the degree of support client requires to achieve self-structuring item). METHODS:
BASS data was utilised for clients attending residential rehabilitation.
Reliability (inter-rarer and intra-rater), validity (construct, concurrent and
discriminate) and sensitivity to change were investigated. RESULTS: Initial
results indicate that the BASS has reasonably good reliability, good construct
validity (via principal components analysis), good discriminant validity, and
good concurrent validity correlating well with a number of other outcome measures
(HoNOS; NPDS, Supervision Rating Scale, MPAI, FIM and FAM). The BASS did not
correlate well with the NPCNA. Finally, the BASS was shown to demonstrate
sensitivity to change. CONCLUSIONS: Although some caution is required in drawing
firm conclusions at the present time and further exploration of the psychometric
properties of the BASS is required, initial results are encouraging for the use
of the BASS in assessing rehabilitation progress. These findings are discussed in
terms of the value of the concept of self-structuring to the rehabilitation
process for individuals with neuropsychological impairments consequent on
acquired brain injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS