Validating the Internal Structure of the Practice Skills Inventory

Abstract

Objective: This study describes a confirmatory factor analysis of the internal structure of the Practice Skills Inventory (PSI) and assesses reliability and criterion validity of the subscales. Method: The study used a combined survey sample of social work master’s students and experienced practitioners (N = 566) who responded to the 75-item questionnaire. Results: A three-factor model measuring supportive, therapeutic coping, and case management skills significantly fits the data (based on several fit indices) with high factor loadings and good reliability ratings. Subscales also predicted the level of social work practice experience. Conclusions: The PSI demonstrates adequate factorial validity and internal consistency and provides a practical tool to further study the utilization of social work practice skills.