Validation of the 24-item recovery assessment scale-revised (RAS-R) in the Norwegian language and context: a multi-centre study

Abstract

BackgroundThe Recovery Assessment Scale-revised (RAS-R) is a self-report instrument measuring mental health recovery. The purpose of the present study was to translate and adapt the RAS-R into the Norwegian language and to investigate its psychometric properties in terms of factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity and reliability in the Norwegian context.MethodsThe present study is a cross-sectional multi-centre study. After a pilot test, the Norwegian version of the RAS-R was distributed to 231 service users in mental health specialist and community services. The factor structure of the instrument was investigated by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsThe RAS-R was found to be acceptable and feasible for service users. The original five-factor structure was confirmed. All model fit indices, including the standardised root mean square residual (SRMR), which is independent of the χ2-test, met the criteria for an acceptable model fit. Internal consistencies within sub-scales as measured by Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.65 to 0.85. Cronbach’s alpha for the total scale was 0.90. As expected, some redundancy between factors existed (in particular among the factors Personal confidence and hope, Goal and success orientation and Not dominated by symptoms).ConclusionsThe Norwegian RAS-R showed acceptable psychometric properties in terms of convergent validity and reliability, and fit indices from the CFA confirmed the original factor structure. We recommend the Norwegian RAS-R as a tool in service users’ and health professionals’ collaborative work towards the service users’ recovery goals and as an outcome measure in larger evaluations.

Recovery, quality of life and issues in supported housing among residents with co-occurring problems: a cross-sectional study

“…The sample reported relatively high scores for the recovery domains pertaining to goal and success orientation and willingness to ask for help, compared to the lower Measures of personal and clinical recovery are not highly correlated (Andresen, Caputi and Oades, 2010), which might be a function of the distinction between personal and clinical recovery (Rowe and Davidson, 2016). The results for recovery in the current study were comparable to the results of a cross-sectional study with persons with mental health problems in specialist or community care (Biringer and Tjoflåt, 2018).…”

“…Recovery was measured with the Norwegian version (Biringer and Tjoflåt, 2018) of the Recovery Assessment Scale -Revised (RAS-R) (Giffort et al, 1995).…”

“…Recovery was measured with the Norwegian version (Biringer and Tjoflå t, 2018) of the Recovery Assessment Scale -Revised (RAS-R) (Giffort et al, 1995). The RAS-R covers five recovery domains: personal confidence and hope; willingness to ask for help; goal and success orientation; reliance on others; and not dominated by symptoms.…”

Validation of an 8-item Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-8) for people with schizophrenia in China

“…Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the total scale and two subscales exceeded 0.85, indicating high internal consistency reliability of the RAS-8. This finding is comparable to previous observations showing Cronbach’s alphas greater than 0.70 for the full RAS scale in both Chinese and non-Chinese samples [ 19 – 21 , 24 ]. Although Cronbach’s alpha coefficients are sensitive to the number of items and decrease with reduced items [ 59 ], the relatively higher Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the shorter version of RAS than the full version further demonstrates item homogeneity and internal consistency of the RAS-8.…”

“…Although the 24-item RAS has been the most widely-used and well-validated tool for recovery measurement, a review showed that other item numbers have also been used including 20, 22, 24, 41, 42 and 50 [ 9 ]. Another cross-sectional multi-center validation study of the 24-item RAS conducted in a Norwegian context found some item redundancy among the factors (such as Personal confidence and hope, Goal and success orientation and Not dominated by symptoms) [ 24 ]. This finding is further echoed in a recent study examining the factor structure of the 24-item RAS in a German sample, which supported a 14-item RAS by confirmatory factor analysis [ 23 ].…”