Volitional questionnaire: Psychometric evaluation of the finnish translation

Background: Supporting clients' motivation to engage in occupations is essential to occupational therapy practice. The Volitional Questionnaire Finnish version (VQ-FI) can be used to evaluate volitional behaviors of clients with limited ability to communicate.Objective: The many-facet Rasch model was used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the VQ-FI using the FACETS and WINSTEPS software.Methods and materials: Forty-two therapists received an in-person training on the VQ-FI and completed 226 independent ratings of clients. The VQ-FI was evaluated in its rating scale functioning, unidimensionality, person validity, rater severity, item targeting, and item/person separation.Results: The four-point rating scale demonstrated adequate functioning; the 'passive' rating category was rarely adopted. The VQ-FI showed unidimensionality, with all 14 items fitting the Rasch model. No evidence for ceiling or floor effects, and the assessment demonstrated appropriate item and person separation. The VQ-FI reliably separated participants to three levels of ability.Conclusions: The study provides preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the VQ-FI.Significance: The VQ-FI is an observational measure that can be used to evaluate clients' volitional behaviors. The VQ-FI offers practitioners and researchers a valid approach to evaluate volition that is theoretically grounded in the Model of Human Occupation.

Integrating occupational therapy in treating combat stress reaction within a military unit: An intervention model

Combat stress reaction (CR) is a syndrome with a wide range of symptoms including changes in soldiers' behaviors, emotional and physiological responses, avoidance and a decrease in both personal and military functioning. The short-term goal in treating CR is a speedy return to healthy functioning, whereas the long-term goal is to prevent the development of PTSD. Previous research has indicated that the achievement of this short-term goal affects the achievement of the long-term goal and vice versa. Effective treatment requires intervention by trained professionals proficient in reinforcing personal and functional identity without psychiatric labelling. The present paper presents a therapeutic model integrating OT in treating CR within a military setting. The model emphasizes the importance of preventing fixation to the role of 'patient' and a rapid return to maximal functioning. Based on Kielhofner's Model of Human Occupation, which aims to promote adaptive and efficient functioning by engaging soldiers in tasks supporting their military identity, empowering functionality, and increasing their perceived competency. The model emphasizes the therapeutic milieu within a military environment. Practical application of this model focuses on interdisciplinary aspects and client-focused application. The paper describes an assessment process for each soldier entering the CR unit and a treatment model integrating OT.