A pilot study assessing initial psychometric properties of “the risk insight scale”

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to report on the development of a psychometric measure of insight, The Risk Insight Scale. This measure is intended to assess the insight and understanding of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) who engage in offending and/or risky behaviour. The measure assesses insight in two domains: insight into offending and/or risky behaviours and insight into the need for treatment for offending and/or risky behaviours. Design/methodology/approach Forty secure inpatients with ID were assessed using the measure. Preliminary data are presented on inter-rater and test–retest reliability, internal consistency and validity. Findings The data demonstrate that the new tool has good internal consistency, good inter-rater reliability and good test–retest reliability. Research limitations/implications The psychometric measure must be completed by someone who is familiar with the patient. More data is needed to validate the measure at this stage. Further discussion is provided regarding insight as a construct and its role in risk assessment. Practical implications The psychometric measure is both of potential benefit in clinical settings with regard to informing risk assessment and case management and may also serve as an effective tool in intervention outcome evaluation and academic research trials. Originality/value The generation of new tool to support and enhance risk assessment, specifically in supplementing assessment of insight in individuals with ID with offending and/or risky behaviour.