The translation, reliability, and construct validity of the social role participation questionnaire for people with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The social participation of people with rheumatoid arthritis is assessed using the Social Role Participation Questionnaire. The aim of this study was to translate the Social Role Participation Questionnaire into the Serbian language, and to investigate its reliability and validity for Serbian people with rheumatoid arthritis. Questionnaires were satisfactorily completed by 126 participants with rheumatoid arthritis, during 2021. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, and construct validity of the Serbian version of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient, respectively. Some single item scores showed floor and/or ceiling effects. This was particularly evident in the physical difficulty items, which showed a floor effect in 20-80% of participants. The high intraclass correlation coefficient score (0.913–0.959) suggested a very high test-retest reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, ranging from 0.706 to 0.926, was reliable for the majority of internal consistency. With the exception of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire subscale role importance at the first measurement, the construct validity of this instrument was confirmed. In assessing the social participation of Serbian people with rheumatoid arthritis, the Serbian translation of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire is a trustworthy and valid instrument