ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In this study, we extend the measurement of engagement begun in community assertive outreach to an in-patient rehabilitation population. AIMS: We report the development of the Residential Rehabilitation Engagement Scale (RRES), which measures engagement in the context of the broader multidisciplinary team and the overall rehabilitation process. METHOD: Twenty-six patients were assessed using the RRES to determine inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability. A larger sample (N = 92) was utilised to explore the internal consistency of the scale and to perform cluster analysis to examine item structure. RESULTS: The RRES demonstrated good inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Cluster analysis revealed three independent potential subcategories of engagement. CONCLUSIONS: The RRES is a reliable measure of engagement, consisting of three potential dimensions: active participation and openness, agreement with treatment and basic relationships and medication compliance. The relevance of the findings to in-patient rehabilitation settings and clinical implications is discussed.
