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Validity and Reliability of the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students Version 2

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Title: Validity and Reliability of the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students Version 2
Language: English
Authors: Sarah Corcoran, Pooja Patel, Izabela Dubiel, Theresa Rhett-Davis, Nancy Green, Emily Pasqualetto, Amanda Carter
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Test Reliability, Sense of Belonging, Occupational Therapy, Professional Education, Allied Health Personnel, Measures (Individuals), Test Construction, Content Validity, Questionnaires, Student Attitudes
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: A strong sense of belonging supports student engagement, motivation, clinical competency, retention, and overall well-being; yet few tools specifically assess this construct in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. To address this gap, Corcoran et al. (2025) developed the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students (PBSOTSv1). The current study aimed to revise the PBSOTSv1 for clarity, inclusivity, and alignment with emerging theoretical frameworks and to evaluate the revised version (PBSOTSv2) for content validity and internal consistency reliability. Revisions involved expert cognitive interviews and Content Validity Index (CVI) ratings, guided by Allen et al.'s framework of belonging, which encompasses competencies, opportunities, motivation, and perceptions. Although new items were added to better capture motivation and competencies, they did not meet CVI thresholds, resulting in an 11-item unidimensional scale. The PBSOTSv2 was administered to 167 students across accredited OT and OTA programs in the United States. Results demonstrated excellent content validity (SCVI = 1.00) and acceptable internal consistency reliability (α = 0.86). The PBSOTSv2 provides a practical, psychometrically sound tool for OT educators to assess student belonging, identify students at risk of disengagement, and inform curricular, mentoring, and inclusion initiatives. Future research should examine longitudinal trends, predictive validity, cross-cultural adaptation, and complementary methods to capture the multidimensional nature of belonging.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502799
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+Corcoran%22">Sarah Corcoran</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pooja+Patel%22">Pooja Patel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Izabela+Dubiel%22">Izabela Dubiel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Theresa+Rhett-Davis%22">Theresa Rhett-Davis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nancy+Green%22">Nancy Green</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+Pasqualetto%22">Emily Pasqualetto</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amanda+Carter%22">Amanda Carter</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 10(1).
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  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
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  Data: A strong sense of belonging supports student engagement, motivation, clinical competency, retention, and overall well-being; yet few tools specifically assess this construct in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. To address this gap, Corcoran et al. (2025) developed the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students (PBSOTSv1). The current study aimed to revise the PBSOTSv1 for clarity, inclusivity, and alignment with emerging theoretical frameworks and to evaluate the revised version (PBSOTSv2) for content validity and internal consistency reliability. Revisions involved expert cognitive interviews and Content Validity Index (CVI) ratings, guided by Allen et al.'s framework of belonging, which encompasses competencies, opportunities, motivation, and perceptions. Although new items were added to better capture motivation and competencies, they did not meet CVI thresholds, resulting in an 11-item unidimensional scale. The PBSOTSv2 was administered to 167 students across accredited OT and OTA programs in the United States. Results demonstrated excellent content validity (SCVI = 1.00) and acceptable internal consistency reliability (α = 0.86). The PBSOTSv2 provides a practical, psychometrically sound tool for OT educators to assess student belonging, identify students at risk of disengagement, and inform curricular, mentoring, and inclusion initiatives. Future research should examine longitudinal trends, predictive validity, cross-cultural adaptation, and complementary methods to capture the multidimensional nature of belonging.
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
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      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
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      – SubjectFull: Professional Education
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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