Design and validation of the professional identity scale for occupational therapists

Abstract

Introduction: Professional identity is a complex and contextual construct, influenced by educational, social, and cultural factors. In the field of occupational therapy, there is a growing need for specific tools that can assess this identity throughout professional development. However, current instruments have notable limitations, especially in contexts such as Spain, where the profession has particular characteristics. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Occupational Therapy Professional Identity Scale (OT-PIS) in a sample of occupational therapy professionals in Spain. Method: A factor analysis was conducted to construct and validate the OT-PIS scale. The sample consisted of n=365 professionals divided in two halves for each part of the analysis. The questionnaire included four sections: sociodemographic and professional data, the OT-PIS scale, The MacLeod Professional Identity Scale, and the Ashby questionnaire. Results: The results indicate high reliability of the scale (Cronbach’s α=0.845; KMO=0.843). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported the two-factor structure through acceptable goodness-of-fit indices. Conclusion: The “Belonging” factor showed a stronger and more significant relationship with the dependent variables in both regression models, underscoring its key role in the construction of professional identity. The OT-PIS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing professional identity in occupational therapists, offering valuable insights for future research and practical application.