A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the ‘Return to Duty Readiness Questionnaire’

Abstract

The Readiness to Return to Duty Questionnaire (RDRQ) is a recently developed screening instrument for detecting fear-avoidance behavior in a military musculoskeletal pain population. The RDRQ was developed based on the Fear-Avoidance Model which postulates four factors resulting in overall fear-avoidance behavior. While research investigating the factor structure of the RDRQ does not exist, research investigating the factor structure of other measures of fear avoidance have found evidence of one and two factor solutions. In the present paper we assess the adequacy of the proposed factor structure of the RDRQ using confirmatory factor analysis. The results favor a three-factor model. Theoretical implications for research using the RDRQ are discussed.

Development and Validation of a Military Fear Avoidance Questionnaire

“…Analysis of this data showed a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.94 for the initial pilot RDRQ, indicating high internal consistency (21). Statistical analysis did not indicate that removal of any item would increase the coefficient resulting in a final number of 20 items.…”

“…Experts in the warrior care and recovery field contributed to the development of the scale throughout November 2019. We used a modified method of scale development starting with contributions from experts, similar to the methods used to create the Athlete Fear Avoidance Questionnaire (AFAQ) (17,21). Initially a panel of five experts gathered to contribute to item development and construction.…”

“…This process is important for showing that the scale reflects the intended construct. To verify validity of intended construct, the R psych package was used to calculate Spearman correlation coefficients between the total scores of the RDRQ and total scores of the completed FACS to establish concurrent validity as it has been established as a valid and reliable fear avoidance questionnaire (21,32). The FACS is associated with self-reported disability, pain, and measures of endurance in response to pain (19).…”

“…The FACS is associated with self-reported disability, pain, and measures of endurance in response to pain (19). The FACS has been used to study chronic pain populations as part of a military Functional Restoration (20,21).…”

“…Measurement tools that incorporate the theoretical components of the FAM are few and have been validated on non-military populations. In response to this, an Army specific fear avoidance screening tool, the Return to Duty Readiness Questionnaire, was developed to capture the complexities of the military environment and the effects of injury on the soldier regarding fear avoidance behaviors (21). The objective of this study was to develop and test the reliability and validity the Return to Duty Readiness Questionnaire (RDRQ) through analysis of internal consistency and establishing content and concurrent validity.…”