The World Health Organization's revised model of disablement has a new domain referred to as "Environmental Factors"; those "external" factors which may influence a person's full participation in society. While the disability literature has emphasized the role of such factors, relatively little research has focused on quantifying the nature and extent of these factors. The Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) is a 25-item questionnaire that measures the frequency and magnitude of environmental barriers. Following a multi-faceted approach to instrument development, a convenience sample of 409 people with various types of disabilities was used to test the psychometric properties of the CHIEF. The instrument proved to be a valid and reliable measure for subject, but not proxy administration. The CHIEF was administered via telephone to a population-based sample of more than 2,200 state residents as part of the Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The CHIEF's psychometric properties were further confirmed in this sample. Analysis also indicated a significantly higher frequency and magnitude of environmental barriers for those reporting some type of activity limitation or disability, and an even higher frequency and magnitude for those reporting more severe limitations. Instrument background, development, validation, and potential use will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1 - To introduce and describe a new and valid measure of the impact of environmental factors. 2 – To understand the relationship between environmental barriers and disability
Keywords: Outcome Measures, Disability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.