UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM)

VALIDATION OF LAM ASSESSMENT OF STAGES OF EMPLOYMENT READINESS

FOR MALAY SPOKEN INJURED WORKERS.

NOOR EMELLIA BINTI JAMALUDIN

PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR

BACHELOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (HONS.)

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

APRIL 2009

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DECLARATION

“I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my

knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another

neither person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the

award of another degree or Diploma University or other institute, except where due

acknowledgment has been made in the text”

____________________________

Name: Noor Emellia Binti Jamaludin

Date:

3

This final year project report entitled “Validation Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness for Malay Spoken Injured Workers” was prepared under the

supervision from Mr. V. Jaya Chandran as research supervisor and research

coordinator. It was submitted by Noor Emellia Binti Jamaludin, in partial fulfillment of the

requirement for the Bachelor (Hons.) of Occupational Therapy in Faculty of Health

Sciences of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), and was approved by:

_____________________________

Mr. V. Jaya Chandran

Research Supervisor

Research Coordinator

Faculty of Health Sciences

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

_____________________________ _________________________

Mr. Mohamad Ghazali Bin Masuri Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahim Bin Md. Noor

Head of Occupational Therapy Program Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

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ACKNOWLEGDEMENT

Praise be to Allah SWT Most Gracious, Most Beneficent

Alhamdulillah, first and foremost I would like to express my greatest gratefulness

towards Allah S.W.T, with His Most Gracious and Most Beneficent, I was able to

complete this project.

I would like to thanks my research supervisor, Mr. Jaya Chandran, for his

guidance, encouragement, advice and support in order for me to complete this project.

I would like to express my appreciation our Head of Occupational Therapy

Program, Mr. Ghazali Bin Masuri for being supportive during the project was done.

Nevertheless, thanks a lot to our Senior Occupational Therapy Lecturer, Mr.

Mohd. Suleiman Bin Murad, for his guidance and encouragement from the beginning to

the end of the project.

Next, I would like to thank the statistician, Prof. Dr. Ishak Ghani, from Universiti

Teknologi MARA, for his advice and consultation during the data analysis of my project.

Last but not least, special thanks to the staffs at Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang

and all the panel members for the expert review and staff at Pusat Bahasa for their

support and cooperation in order to me to fulfill the project.

Finally, special appreciation goes to my friends and family for being very

supportive and cooperation from the beginning of the project.

Thank you.

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VALIDATION OF LAM ASSESSMENT OF STAGES OF EMPLOYMENT READINESS

FOR MALAY SPOKEN INJURED WORKERS.

NOOR EMELLIA BINTI JAMALUDIN

V. JAYA CHANDRAN

ABSTRACT

Objective: To identify the psychometric properties of Malay version of Lam Assessment

of Stages of Employment Readiness among Malay spoken injured workers.

Method: There are 50 samples aged between 16 to 60 years old including 29 males and

21 female from Occupational Therapy Department of Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang,

were recruited in this study. The samples were required to complete the self rated

questionnaire of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness. After 7 to 14 days, the samples were required to complete the same self

rated questionnaire of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness again (test retest). Data gained was analyzed by using descriptive statistic,

and reliability analysis (Cronbach Alpha).

Result: The result shown good test retest reliability (Cronbach Alpha = 0.829, 0.956)

with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged between 0.707 and 0.917. The alpha

value of all items is more than 0.7, which indicate good test retest reliability. The

translation is also not affecting the content validity. Each item scored by the expert

review is 4 (agree) to 4.667 towards 5 (very agree).

Conclusion: The content validity of the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness is confirmed and has good test retest reliability. This

assessment tool is useful in reflecting the readiness of the injured workers to return to

work.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter / topic Page

Declaration

Abstract

Acknowledgement

Table of content

List of tables

List abbreviation

Chapter 1 (Introduction)

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of problem

1.3 General and specific objectives

1.3.1 General objective

1.3.2 Specific objective

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Research hypothesis

1.6 Significance of study

1.7 Definition of terms

Chapter 2 (Literature review)

2.1 Literature review

Chapter 3 (Methodology)

3.1 Study design

3.2 Study location

3.3 Samples

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3.31 Sampling size

3.32 Sampling method

3.33 Inclusion criteria

3.34 Exclusion criteria

3.4 Instrument

3.5 Data collection

3.6 Procedure of Translation

3.7 Data Analysis

3.8 Ethical Consideration

Chapter 4 (Result)

4.1 Distribution of demographic characteristic of age group

4.2 Distribution of demographic characteristic of gender

group

4.3 Distribution of samples according to diagnosis

4.4 Reliability Analysis

Chapter 5 (Discussion)

5.1 Discussion

5.2 Validity and Reliability Analysis

5.3 Implication of Study

5.4 Limitation of Study

Chapter 6 (Conclusion)

6.1 Conclusion

6.2 Recommendation for further research

Chapter 7 (References)

Chapter 8 (Appendixes)

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8.1 Sample demographic data form

8.2 Consent letter

8.3 Original LASER (Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness)

8.4 Translated LASER (Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness)

8.5 Endorsement of the translation from Pusat Bahasa

UiTM.

8.6 Review form (for panel member’s)

8.7 Permission letter from UiTM

8.8 Grant Chart and Budgeting

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

No. Abbreviations Meaning

1. ° Degree sign

2. N Frequency

3. % Percentage

4. ≥ More or equal to

5. ≤ Less or equal to

6. r Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient

7. ADL Activities of Daily Living

8. ANOVA Analysis of Variance

9. CI Confidence Interval

10. H1 Alternative Hypothesis

11. H0 Null Hypothesis

12. HSJ Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang

13. ICC Intraclass Correlation Coefficient

14. LASER Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness

15. LS Likert Scale

16. MDT Multidisciplinary Team

17. NGRS Numerical Graphic Rating Scale

18. RTW Return to Work

19. SD Standard Deviation

20. SF 36 Short Form Pain Questionnaire 36

21. SOCSO Social Security Organization

22. SPSS Statistic Package for Social Science

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23. UiTM Universiti Teknologi MARA

24. VAS Visual Analog Scale

25. VR Vocational Rehabilitation

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Every single person recognized the value of work in our daily living. Famous

quote by Jastrebowski, W. (1857) “He who complains against his work knoweth not

life; work is an uplifting force by which all things may be moved. Repose is death,

and work is life!” This shows that returning the injured workers to their work is vitally

important. Griswold (2003) states that work programs are designed for people who

have a work related injury to enable them return to the workforce (cited in Crepeau,

Cohn & Schell, 2003, p. 932). According to King (1993), cited by Griswold (2003), the

majority of work program clients are males between 26 to 46 years of age (cited in

Crepeau, Cohn & Schell, 2003, p 933). Based on Biernacki (1993), cited by Griswold

(2003), occupational therapy practitioners also address this and help people

examines the variety of roles and abilities they have to modify their self perception

(cited in Crepeau, Cohn & Schell, 2003).

Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER) was developed

in 1997. According to Chan et al. (2006), the Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness, was designed in order to measure one’s psychological

readiness to return to work after an extended period of unemployment due to

disability. LASER includes 14 items which describe in the pre-contemplation (6

statements), contemplation (4 statements) and action stages (4 statements). The

worker will be rating the items on a five point Likert Scale. 1 point indicate strongly

disagree and 5 points indicate strongly agree. The scores gained will be added and

allocated under different sub scores. This sub scores will indicates the corresponding

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stages of readiness of the worker towards the employment. The highest scores

indicate that the worker’s tendency towards the corresponding stage. In the pre

contemplation stage, the worker does not see unemployment as a problem to

him/her, and often not interested in working, or believe that they cannot work. In the

contemplation stage, the worker starts to consider the pros and cons of working;

however they have not yet participated in any related action such as job searching

and etc. Meanwhile in the action stage, the worker has decided to work and engage

in behaviors to increase the probability to work.

The result from present study is important in determine the psychometric

properties of the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness. Cultural characteristics of the clients also warrant further attention in

developing effective treatments to match the specific needs of rehabilitation (Chan et

al, 2006).

1.2 Statement of Problem

Return to work program was organized by hospital and SOCSO (Social

Security Organization) or PERKESO (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial) is one of the

rehabilitation program. This rehabilitation program involves the injured workers and

the occupational therapist. During return to work program, the injured workers will be

undergo work conditioning and work hardening. The aims of the return to work

program is to return injured workers to their previous job and roles, counseling and

motivation services in order to improve the spirit to work and capability to do the

work. In order to plan the intervention program for the worker, the initial assessment

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needs to be carried out. Recently, only subjective assessment has been used by the

case manager to screen out the patient psychological problems.

In present, the subjective assessment is use to captured the stages of

readiness to return to work of the injured workers. A standardized assessment is

required in order to improve the quality of the assessment. Even though the English

version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness can be used, the

injured workers might not understand it in English. This assessment is self rating

assessment. Spontaneous translation might be affect the validity and reliability of the

assessment. Therefore, we need the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness. The Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness can be used as a standardized assessment to assess

stages of change of the worker and their readiness to be employed. With the

standardized, valid and reliable assessment tool, the intervention program can be

planned more effectively to the worker. Through Malay version of Lam Assessment

of Stages of Employment Readiness, the Malay spoken injured workers will have

better understanding in rating themselves based on the questionnaire in the

assessment.

Through the assessment Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness, the stage of employment readiness of the worker can be

identified. So that the suitable intervention and management strategies can be plan

and develop to intervenes the worker.

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1.3 Significance of Study

The study was conducted in order to validate the Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness (LASER) into Malay version. This study is vitally important in

investigating the stages of readiness of returning to work among Malay spoken

injured workers. It is important for the occupational therapy practitioners to identify

the stages of readiness of the workers before they start planning the intervention

program. The sample population that has been extracted for this study is the injured

worker that has been referred for return to work program.

Cultural characteristics of the clients also warrant further attention in

developing effective treatments to match the specific needs of rehabilitation (Chan et

al, 2006). By knowing the stages of readiness of the injured workers, the therapist

can do well planning on the when to start the return program, suitable intervention

need to be given, and how to tackle and identify the problems of the injured workers.

By having well planning and suitable return to work program for every individual of

injured workers, this will reduced the work related injuries by ensuring them to be

recovered with the period of rehabilitation that has been planned. The research

hopes that the present study will be useful tool in assessing the stages of readiness

and can be applied in local and appropriate Malay spoken population.

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1.4 Research Objectives

1.4.1 General Aim

This study was designed in order to determine the psychometric properties of the

Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness.

1.4.2 Specific Objective

a. To find out the validity of the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness (LASER).

b. To find out the reliability of the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages

of Employment Readiness (LASER).

1.5 Research Questions

The following are the research question that has been design to meet the research

objective of the study:

a. What is the level of validity of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness?

b. What is the level of reliability of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

H0: There is no significance difference between psychometric properties of Malay

version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness and Chinese

version.

H1: There is significance difference between psychometric properties of Malay

version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness and Chinese

version.

1.7 Definition of Terms

No. Term Definition

1. Lam Assessment of Stages

of Employment Readiness

(LASER)

Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness (LASER) was developed in 1997 by

Prof. Lam. It is useful in reflecting the perception

of returning to work of the injured workers.

1. Return to work Program for returning the worker to his/her

pervious job. (E.g. work hardening program, work

strengthening, work conditioning and etc.)

(Anonymous, 2008).

2. Vocational rehabilitation The restoration of work functions in individuals

with mental or physical disabilities (Roose &

Stein, 2000).

3. Validity Validity is the extent to which a test measures

what it claims to measure.

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4. Reliability Referring to consistency of measurement.

5. Worker One who works at a particular occupation or

activity (Yahoo Dictionary, 2008).

6. Injured worker The worker who having injury, harm and damage

that unable him/her to perform his/her previous

job. (Anonymous, 2008).

7. Perception Perception is the process of attaining awareness

or understanding of sensory information

(Wikipedia, 2009).

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Chan et al. (2006) was done a study on “Validation of Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness (C-LASER) for Chinese injured workers”. The

objective of the study was to validate the Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness in Chinese version among Chinese injured workers. There are 90

participants, which are 38 female and 52 male, were recruited from return to work in

Hong Kong Workers’ Health Centre. 32 participants were suffered from low back pain,

22 upper limb traumatic injuries, 13 lower limb traumatic injuries, 11 repetitive strain

injuries and 12 other types of injury. The participants were required to fulfill the self rated

questionnaire of C-LASER during on admission to the return to work program and after 7

to 14 days of the admission date. The result shows that the reliability coefficient is range

from 0.55 to 0.79. There is no significance difference in two assessments done (first

assessment and second assessment). There is also no significance between human

capital factors with the stage of readiness to return to work. In the discussion, the

researchers’ reveals that the “action stage” group of workers was found to have

significance higher physical function, less pain and higher social function than those in

the “pre contemplation stage” group of workers. The researcher conclude that C-LASER

is useful in differentiate the stages of readiness to work among injured workers. The

researcher should improve in cultural relevance and expand the study to the other

population such as psychiatric disabilities and etc. cultural characteristic might increase

the effectiveness of the treatment and return to work program.

Li et al. (2006) was done a study on “The Effect of a “training on work readiness”

Program for Workers with Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Randomized Control Trial (RCT)

Study. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the 3 weeks training

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program on the work readiness designed for musculoskeletal injured workers with long

term sick leave who had difficulties in resuming their work roles. The 3 weeks training

program was developed in order to help injured workers to overcome the psychological

and psychosocial problems and to help them for their work readiness on return to work

based on the Employment readiness model. There 64 participants aged between 20 to

59 years old, were recruited and randomly divided into control group and training group.

The first assessment was done during the initial interview (pre training) and the second

assessment was conducted after 3 weeks of the first assessment (post training) in order

to investigate the effect of the training program. This 3 weeks training program was

consisted of individual vocational counseling and group based training. The strategies

used for the individual training were raising consciousness, decisional balance and self

efficacy. Meanwhile, for the group based training was included pain and stress

management, job acquisition and preparation, pre employment training. There are 3

instruments has been used in this study in order to assess the psychological health

status and behavioral changes on job readiness before and after the training program.

As the result, the training group showed significance improvement in their work

readiness (p< 0.05), their perception on health status measured by SF-36 (p<0.02), and

level of anxiety (p<0.05) when comparing to control group. The researchers found that

the key of behavioral change are control of chronic pain, negative motivation and anxiety

level. Therefore, the researchers conclude that this 3 weeks training program is useful in

improving injured workers motivation and their readiness to returning to work.

Li Tsang et al. (2007) were done a study on “Psychosocial aspects of Injured

Workers’ Returning to Work (RTW) in Hong Kong”. The purpose of the study is to

explore the psychosocial aspects of injured workers’ their self perceived capacity and

how these factors influence their success in returning to work (RTW). There 75

participants aged between 20 to 65 years old was recruited from one local health’s

20

center. The participants were diagnosed with physical injuries or repetitive strain injuries,

past three years, with difficulties to return to work. Previously, all the participants were

participated in conventional rehabilitation services but still unable to return to work

successfully. A comprehensive assessment was done before the participants joined the

training, after they joined the training and after they engaged with the job seeking. This

comprehensive assessment was done in order to explore any changes in the

participants’ psychosocial status. The comprehensive assessment was consisted of an

interview and four self rated assessments. The self rated assessments were Spinal

Function Sort (SFS), Loma Linda University Medical Centre Activity Sort (LLUMC),

Chinese Lam’s Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (C-LASER), Chinese

State Trait Inventory (C-STAI) and Short Form 36 (SF-36). The result of the study shows

that the importance of the C-LASER sub factors in order to differentiate the participants

into action and pre contemplation stage which associates with the successful of the

return to work program. The participants in action stage appeared to have higher

confidence and advocacy level in job seeking. As a conclusion, the readiness of the

injured workers is strongly associates with the success of the return to work program.

The study was done by Xu et al. (2007) about “Rehabilitation of Injured Workers

with Chronic Pain: A Stage of Change Phenomenon”. The main objective of the study is

to explore the stages of change involved in return to work for a group of workers who

had been suffering from chronic pain. There are 67 participants were selected, aged

between 20 and 60 years old, were recruited from a 6 week return to work program that

offered from Hong Kong Workers’ Health Centre and Department of Rehabilitation

Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Before the 6 week return to work

program was start, all participants were check by the physician in order to detect any

physical or psychiatric conditions that might affect the successful of the program. The

program was divided into 2, 3 week for rehabilitation/readiness components and 3 week

21

for placement components. In the first 3 weeks, the intervention that has been given to

the participants are individual and vocational counseling, pain and stress management

training, workplace adjustment and specific job skill training. The intervention was done

by occupational therapist and social workers. The next forth to sixth week, the

participants were exposing to the job placements including job interview and job trial

under supervision of job coach. 6 instruments were used in order to explore the stage of

change of the injured workers. There are Valpar 19, the DEXTER, and the Lam

Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER), the Chinese State-Trait

Anxiety Inventory (STAI-C), the Loma Linda University Medical Center Activity Sort

(LLUMC) and Short Form 36 (SF-36). As the result, the return to work outcomes was

found significance by the readiness at the baseline. Meanwhile, during third week, return

to work is significance with participants’ confidence in returning to work. As conclusion,

the researcher concludes that the stage of change factors might influence the

rehabilitation process and their continuation towards a productive work role.

The following study was done by Wasiak et al, (2007) on “Measuring Return to

Work”. The study is used to facilitate the investigation of return to work (RTW), current

authors proposed a developmental conceptualization of RTW, 4 phases of expanded

awareness: off work, work reintegration, work maintenance and advancement.

According to Wasiak et al, (2007), returns to work as an individual’s cognitive and

behavioral response to the occurrence of work disability is likely to provide a more

accurate understanding of RTW and related factors. This research was done in order to

understanding and operationalizing the conceptualization towards return to work. A

review of the return to work and related literature with databases searched including

PubMed, EconLit and PsycInfo has been done by the researcher. After that, the

researchers interpreted it within the context of the phases of RTW. The researchers

found that outcomes such as goal setting, motivation, expectation, job seeking, work

22

maintenance, and career advancement require operationalization. The researchers

conclude that lack of consistency and comprehensiveness of RTW measurement is one

of the factors compromising the advancement of the field of the RTW research.

Kominiski et al. (2008) was conducting a study on “Return to Work and Degree of

Recovery among Injured Workers in California’s Workers’ Compensation System”.

According to Kominiski et al, (2008), occupational medicine orientation includes

behaviors related to the primary treating physician (PTP), understanding of an injured

worker’s job, discussing how to avoid re injury, and suggesting work restrictions or job

changes when appropriate. There are two systemic reviews of the literature showed that

injured workers with access to the ergonomic workplace modifications and other

accommodations were more likely to return to work as those without access to such

program. Furthermore, employer-based disability prevention and management programs

have been shown to have positive impact. Social support provided by the injured

worker’s supervisor also improved return to work. Other than that, access to specialty

care and physical therapy or occupational therapy care are associated with better health

outcomes for at least some condition. Kominiski et al, (2008) stated that return to work

and degree of recovery outcomes as likely to be persuaded by three major factors.

There are; 1) the occupational medicine orientation and interpersonal behavior of the

PTP, 2) access to timely care immediately after injury and 3) access to specialty care,

including referral to specialists, physical therapists or occupational therapists, when

necessary. In this study, a sample of 5269 claims with dates of injury between April 1

and June 30, 2005 were randomly selected from the state’s Workers’ Compensation

Information System (WCIS), which is maintained by the Division of Workers’

Compensation. After exclusion, the final data set for this study included 965 individuals,

excluding the 25 responses collected during the pilot test. The researcher examined

three major categories of independent variables: 1) characteristics of the PTP; 2) access

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to and timeliness of care; and 3) other covariates, including injury type, injury severity

and injured worker demographics. Based on the result of the study, the researchers

conclude that lack of access to timely care, defined as receiving treatment four or more

days after injury, approached significance in the degree of recovery model. Problems

accessing PT or OT services and specialist care also had a significant association with

negative return to work and degree of recovery outcomes. The results clearly show the

importance of access specialist and PT or OT services on return to work and degree of

recovery. Injured workers with access problems to PT or OT and to specialist care were

not significantly more likely to have negative outcomes than those who reported no

problems accessing such services, although the direction of the coefficients suggests a

higher likelihood of negative outcomes.

Lillefjell et al. (2006) was conducting a study on “Factors Predicting Work Ability

Following Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain”. The main

objective of the study is to investigate the outcome predictors of multidisciplinary

rehabilitation in term of working ability. There are 143 participants aged between 20 to

67 years old with chronic pain. There are 3 instruments has been used in this study,

Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Norwegian version of the CCCP/WONCA Charts and

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). All the participants were required to

involve in the multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, which consisted with 5 weeks

intensive period, 6 hours per day, 4 days per week and follow up period of 52 weeks.

As the result, the work ability increased from 57.4% to 80%. Meanwhile, the strongest

predictors of work ability are age, sleeplessness, cognitive function, overall health, pain

experience, and anxiety. The researchers conclude that the important areas to improve

work ability in rehabilitation program are emotional distress, cognitive function and

overall health.

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Gross et al. (2007) was done a study on “Evaluation of a Short-form Functional

Capacity Evaluation: Less may be best”. The main objective of the study is to evaluate

the effectiveness of short form functional capacity evaluation protocol. The study was

designed as cluster randomized control trial. The data was gained from the major

rehabilitation facility of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta. The data was

collected from all claimants that has been assess since October 18, 2004 to May 6,

2005. The functional capacity evaluation that has been used during the study was

Isernhagen Work System FCE protocol. The components of this protocol are dynamic

lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. This protocol takes about 5 to 8 hours, within 2 days

to be completed. The therapists were divided into 2 groups, which are short form

functional capacity evaluation (FCE) and standard functional capacity evaluation (FCE).

The short form group contained of 4 occupational therapists, 4 physical therapists, and 3

exercise therapists. Meanwhile the standard group consisted of 6 occupational

therapists, 3 physical therapists and 3 exercise therapists. The short form FCE group

was trained according to short form protocol. After the training session, the focus group

discussion was organized in order to resolve problem that arise from the short form of

FCE. Data was collected on subject characteristics, administrative outcomes (day to

suspension of time loss benefits, days to claim closure, and future recurrence). The time

has been taken during completing the assessments. As a result, there is a reduction of

43% in functional assessment time. The researchers conclude that, the short form of

functional capacity evaluation is requires less time comparing to the standard functional

capacity evaluation. However, the usage of the short form of functional capacity

evaluation is not affecting the recovery outcome.

Lillefjell (2006) was conducted a study on “Gender differences in psychosocial

influence and rehabilitation outcomes for work-disabled individuals with chronic

musculoskeletal pain”. The purpose of the study is to investigate the gender differences

25

in rehabilitation outcome and how psychosocial factors may interact to influence

rehabilitation outcome in work disabled with chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are 168

participants, aged between 20 to 66 years old were recruited from rehabilitation center in

Mid Norway. All the participants were participated in the multidisciplinary rehabilitation

based on bio-psycho-social theoretical model. The instrument tools that has been used

in the data collection was self report measure, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Norwegian

version of the COOP/WONCA Charts, and the 13 item of Norwegian version of the

Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC). The result showed that there is significance (p<0.05)

gender differences in sleeplessness, meaningfulness and manage ability. Women are

reported more sleeplessness rather than men. Meanwhile, men are reporting

significance higher in manageability and comprehensibility. However, there is no

significance in pain or functional health status variables. The gender differences also

affect the rehabilitation outcomes. The researchers conclude that these data (about the

gender differences and psychosocial factors) are important in rehabilitation program due

that all these factors influence the successful of the rehabilitation intervention.

Gibson et al. (2005) was done a study on “Functional Capacity Evaluation as a

Performance Measure: Evidence for New Approach for Clients with Chronic Back Pain”.

The purpose of the study is to report the research and development of a new approach

to Functional Capacity Evaluation, The Gibson Approach to Functional Capacity

Evalaution (GAPP FCE) for chronic back pain. This study consisted of 4 studies and

involved 7 healthy young adults and 19 participants with chronic back pain. Study 1 was

conducted with the participants without injury. Study 2 was a pilot study, involved the

participants with chronic back pain. Study 3 was involved the expert reviewers on the

GAPP FCE. Meanwhile, the study 4 was designed to determine the interrater reliability

and predictive validity of the GPP FCE. In the study 1, the results showed that, GPP

FCE was feasible approach with good utility. For the study 2, the result reported that the

26

feasibility of using GPP FCE to the participants with chronic back pain. Meanwhile, for

the study 3, the result showed that majority of the expert reviewers support the GPP

FCE. Last but not least, the study 4 showed that the average time usage for

administrating the GPP FCE was 3.18 hours. The result also showed very high

agreement on a dichotomous rating of whether return to work was recommended or not.

As the conclusion, the researchers conclude that the GPP FCE is having good face and

content validity and has high interrater reliability.

27

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Design

This is a quantitative study that has been design to determine the psychometric

properties of the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness. This study is using test retest in the quantitative method, which is

referring to the information in the form of numbers that can be measured.

3.2 Study Location

This study was conducted at the Occupational Therapy Department of Hospital

Seberang Jaya, Penang.

3.3 Sampling

3.3.1 Study Population and size

The total numbers of the samples were 50. There were 29 males and 21 female.

The samples were patient at the Occupational Therapy Department of Hospital

Seberang Jaya, Penang. The samples were range from 16 to 60 years old.

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3.3.2 Sampling Method

Convenience sampling method has been used in this study. A convenience sample

is a sample where the samples are selected, in part or in whole, at the

convenience of the researcher. The researcher makes no attempt, or only a limited

attempt, to insure that this sample is an accurate presentation of some larger group

or population.

3.3.3 Inclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria of the panel members of expert review:

a. At least had Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy.

b. Working experience should be at least 2 years.

c. Familiar with Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness.

The inclusion criteria of the samples are:

a. Sample was referred to Occupational Therapy Department of Hospital

Seberang Jaya, Penang.

b. Sample was range from 16 to 60 years old.

c. Sample’s race is Malay.

d. Sample is able to read and understand the Malay language.

29

3.3.4 Exclusion Criteria

The exclusion criteria of the samples are:

a. Sample is impaired cognitively.

b. Sample is not referred for Occupational Therapy management.

c. Sample is having problem in auditory and visual function.

d. Sample’s age is below than 16 or above than 60 years old.

3.4 Instrument

Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER).

The instrument used is Lam Assessment of Stages of Readiness (LASER) that has

been translated into Bahasa Malaysia by qualified translator at Language Center of

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Description:

The LASER was developed in order to measure client’s readiness towards return to

work. It is a 14 question, self rated questionnaire. It was designed to predict the

subsequent employment outcomes, with three stages of readiness for interpretation:

pre contemplation, contemplation and action, based on the parallel model for stages

of work readiness (Lam, 1997).

30

Outline of model of stages of employment readiness:

Stages Description

Pre contemplation

(Indifferent)

Clients do not see unemployment as a problem. They

are often not interested in working or do not believe that

they can work.

Contemplation (Decision) Clients begin developing pros and cons of working.

Barriers to work are clearly delineated and potential

solutions are generated.

Action (Readiness) Clients are combining desire to return to work with

actions that typically lead to employment. They want to

work and have decided to engage in behaviors to

increase probability of hire.

Administration:

The LASER is modified with 4 more questions added to represent the other stage of

preparation before the Action Stage. The subject needs to read through the

instructions and complete all of them. If the subject’s reading level is below primary

6, then the instructor has to read the instructions and each question to the subject.

For each question, there is a statement describing how a person feels when starting

a job service program. The subject has to indicate his / her level of agreement with

each statement / question at that moment.

31

Scoring:

After the questionnaire is completed, the instructor has to transform the level of

agreement of each question into a 5 point scale score. Then put the score into

corresponding box in the scoring sheet, and add the scores for each stage. The

highest score among the three groups indicates the stage where the subject tends to

belong.

3.5 Procedure for Data Collection

The following are the steps that involved in data collection:

a. Step 1

The first step in the data collection was by obtaining the permission and consent

letter from Faculty of Health Sciences, University Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The

consent letter was send to the Hospital Director and Head of Occupational

Therapy Department of Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang.

b. Step 2

The second step was identifying the samples that will be used. Check their

appointment and their details (diagnosis, address, phone number if available).

32

c. Step 3

The third step was the distribution of questionnaire to the samples. The samples

need to fill up the consent letter after the researcher briefly explains to the

sample about the study detail.

d. Step 4

The next step was reassessment or redistributes the questionnaire to the

samples after 7 to 14 days of last distribution. The same samples will need to

answer to the questionnaire again. All the information was kept as privacy

properties.

3.6 Procedure of Translation

The Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER) components

were translated into Malay language by qualified translator from Pusat Bahasa,

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Forward Translation

Two translators were translated the English (Original) Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness (LASER) into the standard Malay language. The translators

were bilingual (in both Malay and English language). One translator construct the

backward translation and the another translator constructed forward translations

33

Synthesis of the translation

Both of translators have reviewed each translation and both of the translations were

compiled. Both of the translators have come out with one end translation on Malay

language version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER)

Backward translation

Both of the translators has reviewed the compiled translated question and translated

it back into the original language.

Expert committee review

The expert committee was consisted of 6 Occupational Therapists, with degree

holder and familiar with Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness

(LASER) and return to work (RTW) program. The translated Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER) has been reviewed by the committee to

obtain the content validity to ensure the question able to measure what suppose to

measure.

34

3.7 Data Analysis

The statistical package of social sciences, version 13 (SPSS) was used to analyze

all the data including description and inferential statistic analysis.

Description statistic

By using frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze the data of the

respondent’s demographic data.

Reliability analysis

By using reliability analysis based on the level of Cronbach Alpha in range of 0 – 1,

to determine reliability level of the translated questionnaire by test and retest.

35

3.8 Ethical Consideration

Ethical issues will be taken into account before, during and after the study is

conducted. These ethical considerations are vitally important to protect the human

right in term of privacy, anonymity and confidentiality.

1. The letter of consent will be sent to original author of Lam Assessment of Stages

of Employment Readiness (LASER).

2. The data gained will be kept confidentially and the used of the study only.

3. The letter of consent will be send to the sample in order to get their permission to

take part in the study.

4. The letter of consent was obtained from Head of Occupational Therapy Program

and Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, (UiTM).

5. The letter of consent was sent to Hospital Director and Head of Occupational

Therapy of Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang, in order to inform and get their

permission to carry out the study.

36

CHAPTER 4

RESULT

Table 4.1.1: Distribution of demographic characteristic of age

Range of

age

Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Mean Standard

deviation

(S.D)

11 – 20 5 10.0

34.92

12.02

21 – 30 16 32.0

31 – 40 13 26.0

41 – 50 8 16.0

51 – 60 8 16.0

Total 50 100.0

Table 4.1.1 shows that highest age group is 21 – 30 (n=16, 32%), follow by 31 – 40

(n=13, 26%), 41 – 50 (n=8, 16%) and 51 – 60 (n=8, 16%). Meanwhile lowest age group

is 11 – 20 (n=5, 10%). The mean of sample’s age is 35 years old. Maximum age is 57

years old and minimum age is 18 years old. Based on observation of the data indicated

the graph was not distributed equally in age group.

37

Table 4.1.2: Distribution of demographic characteristic of gender

Frequency Percent

Male 29 58.0

Female 21 42.0

Total 50 100.0

Table 4.1.2 showed that the frequency distribution of sample according to age. The total

number of the samples is 50 (n=50). The distribution of male samples is 58% (n=29),

meanwhile distribution of female samples is 42% (n=21). Based on observation of the

data indicated the graph was not distributed equally in gender group.

38

Table 4.1.3: Distribution of demographic characteristic of diagnosis

Frequency Percent

Upper limb

traumatic injury

30 60.0

Lower limb

traumatic injury

7 14.0

Repetitive

strain injury

8 16.0

Others (include

head injury,

heart problem,

musculo

dystrophy and

others)

5 10.0

Total 50 100.0

Table 4.1.3 shows that the frequency distribution of samples according to diagnosis. The

diagnoses were divided into 4 groups (upper limb traumatic injury, lower limb traumatic

injury, repetitive strain injury, and others, which include head injury, heart problem and

etc.). The highest diagnosis group was upper limb traumatic injury (n=30, 60%), followed

by repetitive strain injury (n=8, 16%) and lower limb traumatic injury (n=7, 14%). The

lowest diagnosis group was others types of injury (n=5, 10%). Based on observation of

the data indicated the graph was not distributed equally in diagnosis group.

39

Table 4.1.4: Reliability analysis of each item in Malay version of Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness.

No. Item No of

sam

ple

Alpha value

test retest

Intraclass

coefficient

(ICC)

95% Confident

interval (C.I)

Sig.

1. Item 1 50 0.893 0.807 0.683 – 0.886

0.001

p< 0.005

2. Item 2 50 0.862 0.757 0.608 – 0.584

3. Item 3 50 0.932 0.872 0.785 – 0.925

4. Item 4 50 0.913 0.840 0.735 – 0.906

5. Item 5 50 0.920 0.852 0.753 – 0.913

6. Item 6 50 0.892 0.806 0.681 – 0.885

7. Item 7 50 0.886 0.796 0.666 – 0.879

8. Item 8 50 0.918 0.848 0.747 – 0.911

9. Item 9 50 0.936 0.880 0.798 – 0.930

10. Item 10 50 0.887 0.797 0.667 – 0.879

11. Item 11 50 0.929 0.868 0.778 – 0.923

12. Item 12 50 0.925 0.861 0.767 – 0.918

13. Item 13 50 0.956 0.917 0.857 – 0.952

14. Item 14 50 0.829 0.707 0.536 – 0.823

Test retest reliability was estimated by correlating the scores of the consecutive

administrations of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness. The alpha value for each item ranged between 0.829 and 0.956. The

intraclass coefficient (ICC) ranges 0.71 to 0.92, which indicates higher reliability when

40

comparing to the Chinese version. Significance value is 0.001, which is p< 0.005. The

null hypothesis is rejected.

41

Table 4.1.5: Test-retest reliability coefficients of Malay version of Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness.

No No of item Intraclass coefficient

(Malay version)

Intraclass coefficient

(Chinese version)

1. Item 1 0.81 0.79

2. Item 2 0.76 0.74

3. Item 3 0.87 0.77

4. Item 4 0.84 0.70

5. Item 5 0.85 0.64

6. Item 6 0.81 0.69

7. Item 7 0.79 0.59

8. Item 8 0.85 0.69

9. Item 9 0.88 0.72

10. Item 10 0.79 0.59

11. Item 11 0.87 0.73

12. Item 12 0.86 0.55

13. Item 13 0.92 0.63

14. Item 14 0.71 0.60

The table shows that the comparison of test-retest reliability coefficient between Malay

version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness and Chinese version.

The reliability coefficients (intraclass correlation, ICC) on the item scores of the 14 items

for Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness, ranged from

0.71 to 0.92. Meanwhile, for the Chinese version, it ranged from 0.55 to 0.79. The lowest

items in the Malay version are item 2, 7, 10, and 14. This 4 items ICC values lower than

42

0.80. Comparing to Chinese version, the items in Malay version has higher intraclass

coefficient which indicate higher reliability.

43

Table 4.1.5: Content validity of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness.

No. Item Mean

1. Item 1 4.00

2. Item 2 4.33

3. Item 3 4.56

4. Item 4 4.33

5. Item 5 4.67

6. Item 6 4.50

7. Item 7 4.17

8. Item 8 4.03

9. Item 9 4.17

10. Item 10 4.00

11. Item 11 4.00

12. Item 12 4.17

13. Item 13 4.11

14. Item 14 4.00

The panel members rate between 4.00 (agree) to 4.67 towards 5 (very agree) for each

item in the Malay version. This shows that translation of Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness into Malay version is not affecting the content validity.

44

CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION

5.1 Discussion

The study was designed in order to determine the psychometric properties of

Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness among

Malay spoken injured workers. There are 6 occupational therapy practitioners were

participated in panel members of expert review. Meanwhile, 50 samples were

participating (in test retest) of the research.

5.2 Reliability and Validity Analysis

In order to check the reliability of each item in Malay version of Lam Assessment

of Stages of Employment Readiness, Cronbach Alpha test-retest analysis was used.

The result showed that the Cronbach Alpha values for each item were range

between 0.83 and 0.96. The alpha value for every item is more than 0.7, which

indicate high reliability. The test-retest reliability intraclass coefficient (ICC) ranges

between 0.71 and 0.92. Them item 2, 7, 10 and 14 showed lower intraclass

coeffiecient (ICC), which is lower than 0.8. Comparing to previous study in Chinese

version by Chan et al. (2006), item 7, 10 and 12 have lowest intraclass coefficient

(ICC), which is less than 0.6. This shows that Malay version of Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness has higher test-retest reliability coefficient when

comparing to Chinese version.

Meanwhile, in order to check the content validity of each item in Malay version of

Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness, the draft of it has been

distributed to the 6 expert reviewers. The expert reviewer are required to rate each

45

item based on the clarity of the translation and expression. The expert members are

required to rate each item on the Likert Scale, which indicate 1 for very disagree, 2

for disagree, 3 for neutral, 4 for agree and 5 for very disagree. As the result, all item

in the draft of Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness were rated between 4.0 (agree) to 4.7, which is towards 5.0 (very agree).

Therefore no modification and adjustment are required. This indicates that the

translation is not affecting the content validity of the items. Meanwhile, in previous

study done by Chan et al. (2006), 9 out of 14 item were rated with 4 (agree) and 5

(very agree). However 4 items were rated by 3 (neutral) and 1 item with 2 (disagree).

Modification and adjustment has been done by the recommendation proposed by the

panel members.

5.3 Implication of Study

Regarding to the result of the study, the establishment of adapted assessment in

assessing the perception of injured workers towards return to work into local practice

has been verified. Malay version of Lam Assessment has been verified as a valid

and reliable tool and ready to be used for the appropriate Malay spoken injured

workers. This assessment tool will help the occupational therapy practitioners in

planning more effective and efficient return to work program for the injured workers.

The effective and well planning return to work program based on the perception of

the injured workers will ensure the injured workers returning to their work on time and

within the short time frame. The work related injuries cost might be reduced due to

reduction in terms of compensation, loss of working days, costs of hiring, and training

new employees and temporary workers.

46

5.4 Limitation of Study

a. The population of the sample was limited. The result of the study cannot be

generalized to the whole population.

b. The group of age, gender and diagnosis is not evenly distributed.

c. No geographical representative in collecting the samples.

d. The use of convenience sampling techniques.

e. Only find out the psychometric properties but not reveal the factors that associate

with returning to work.

47

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

6.1 Conclusion

This study was about find out the psychometric properties of the Malay version of

Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness. The result in this study shows

that each item in the Malay version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment

Readiness has good reliability. Comparing to the Chinese version of Lam Assessment of

Stages of Employment Readiness, the Malay version has higher reliability in test retest.

The translation of the Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness into

Malay version is not affecting the content validity of each item. Most of the occupational

therapists that used to be the expert reviewer comment that, this assessment tool will be

useful in assessing the stages of readiness in returning to work.

The Malay language version of Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment of

Readiness (LASER) has been confirmed its content validity and reliability. It can be used

and apply to the appropriate Malay spoken injured workers population in order to

improve Occupational Therapy services in planning the return to work program for

effective and efficient result.

48

6.2 Recommendation for further research

a. Enlarge the number of samples.

b. Use randomized control study.

c. Considering more on the age, gender and diagnosis so that it is evenly

distributed.

d. Considering to involved more samples from differences geographical population.

e. Translate into other language such as Tamil

f. Considering the educational level, monthly income and level of pain with the

stages of readiness in returning to work should be revealed in future.

49

CHAPTER 7

REFERENCES

Anonymous (2000). Definition of a Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder: Licence to

Mislabel Low Back Pain? . Lippincott William & Wilkins Inc. 15 (3).

Anonymous (2008). Good Practices to prevent Musculoskeletal disorders European

Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

http://osha.europa.eu/good_practice/risks/msd

Anonymous (2008). Musculoskeletal disorders Single Entry Point European Agency for

Safety and Health at Work. Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/msds

Anonymous (2008). Research Design. Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

http://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/methods/005847ch1.pdf

Anonymous (2008). Return to Work / Stay at Work. Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/employee/index.html

Anonymous (2006) Statistic Report of Social Security Organization (2006). Malaysia

Social Security Organization (SOCSO). Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

www.perkeso.gov.my

Anonymous (2008). Wikipedia – Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 20th December 2008

at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

50

Chan et al., (2006). Validation of Lam assessment of employment readiness

(C-LASER) for Chinese injured workers. The Journal of Occupational

Rehabilitation Issues, 16:697–705.

Chetwyn C. H. Chan & Stella W. S. Cheng (2007). 4th Asia Pasific Occupational

Therapy Congress 2007 – Post Congress Workshop (Return to work –

Assessment, Intervention and Outcomes).

Coaked & Steed (2003). SPSS Analysis without Anguish Version 11.0 for Windows.

John Wiley & Sons. Australia.

Crepeau et al, (2003). Willard & Spackman’s Occupational Therapy (10th ed). Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins. United State of America.

Fisher et al, (2003). Return to work after lower limb amputation. International Journal of

Rehabilitation Research 2003, 26:51–56

Gross et al. (2007). Evaluation of a Short-form Functional Capacity Evaluation: Less

may be best. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2007, 17:422 – 435

Kominiski et al. (2008). Return to Work and Degree of Recovery among Injured Workers

in California’s Workers’ Compensation System. Journal of Occupational

Environment Medicine. 50, pp 296 - 305

Lam CS, Chan F, Mc Mohan BT(1991). Factorial structure of the change assessment

questionnaire for individual with traumatic head injuries. Rehabilitation

Psychology;. 36: 189-99

51

Li et al. (2006). The Effect of a “training on work readiness” program for workers with

musculoskeletal injuries: A randomized control trial (RCT) study. Journal of

Occupational Rehabilitation 2006, 16:529 – 541

Li Tsang et al. (2007). Psychosocial Aspects of Injured Workers’ Returning to Work

(RTW) in Hong Kong. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2007, 17:279 – 288

Lillefjell et al. (2006). Factors Predicting Work Ability Following Multidisciplinary

Rehabilitation for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Journal of Occupational

Rehabilitation 2006, 16:543 – 556

Marc F. Kern (2008). Stages of Change Model. Retrieved on 20th December 2008 at

http://www.addictioninfo.org/authors/2/Marc-F.-Kern

Sbriccoli P. et al., (2004). Static Load Repetition Is a Risk Factor in the Development of

Lumbar Cumulative Musculoskeletal Disorder. Lippincott William & Wilkins Inc.

29(23), pp 2643–2653.

Sobeth et al, (2007). Return to Work After Severe Multiple Injuries: A Multidimensional

Approach on Status 1 and 2 Years Postinjury. The journal of Trauma Injury,

Infection and Critical Care. 6(2), pp 471-480

Wasiak R. et al., (2007). Measuring Return to Work. The Journal of Occupational

Rehabilitation.

52

Xu et al. (2007). Rehabilitation of Injured Workers with Chronic Pain: A Stage of Change

Phenomenon. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2007, 17:727 – 742

Yusof Y. (2008) The Validity and Reliability of Malay Language of Oswestry Disability

Questionnaire for Kelantan Population. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

53

CHAPTER 8

APPENDIX

8.1 Sample demographic data form

BORANG PENILAIAN / ASSESSMENT FORM

NO. KAD PENGENALAN / IC NO.: _________________________________________

JANTINA / GENDER: _____________

UMUR / AGE: ________ TAHUN / YEARS OLD

ALAMAT TETAP / PERMANENT ADDRESS: _________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

PEKERJAAN / OCCUPATION: ____________________________________________

DIAGNOSIS: ___________________________________________________________

TANDAKAN PADA JAWAPAN YANG BERKENAAN / TICK (√) AT RELATED

ANSWER

TAHAP PENDIDIKAN / EDUCATION LEVEL:

_____ SEKOLAH RENDAH / PRIMARY SCHOOL

_____ SEKOLAH MENENGAH / SECONDARY SCHOOL

_____ DIPLOMA / DIPLOMA LEVEL

_____ IJAZAH / DEGREE LEVEL

_____ IJAZAH SARJANA DAN KE ATAS / MASTER LEVEL AND ABOVE

54

PENDAPATAN BULANAN / MONTHLY INCOME:

_____ KURANG DARIPADA RM 1000 / LESS THAN RM 1000

_____ ANTARA RM 1000 – RM 1500 / BETWEEN RM 1000 – RM 1500

_____ ANTARA RM 1500 – RM 2000 / BETWEEN RM 1500 – RM 2000

_____ LEBIH DARIPADA RM 2000 / MORE THAN RM 2000

55

8.2 Consent letter

RESEARCH PROJECT: VALIDATION OF M - LASER (LAM ASSESSMENT OF

STAGES OF EMPLOYMENT READINESS) FOR MALAY SPOKEN INJURED

WORKERS.

SURAT KEBENARAN / CONSENT LETTER

NO. KAD PENGENALAN / IC NO.: _________________________________________

JANTINA / GENDER: _____________

UMUR / AGE: ________ TAHUN / YEARS OLD

ALAMAT TETAP / PERMANENT ADDRESS: _________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

PEKERJAAN / OCCUPATION: ____________________________________________

TANDATANGAN: ________________________________________________________

DENGAN MENANDATANGANI BORANG INI, SAYA MENGESAHKAN YANG

BERIKUT;

1. SAYA TELAH MEMBACA, MEMAHAMI DAN BERSETUJU UNTUK

MENYERTAI KAJIAN INI

2. SAYA BERPUAS HATI DENGAN JAWAPAN YANG SAYA DIBERIKAN ATAS

SOALAN-SOALAN SOALSELIDIK

3. SAYA, SECARA SUKARELA, BERSETUJU MENYERTAI KAJIAN INI,

MEMATUHI SEGALA PROSEDUR KAJIAN DAN MEMBERI MAKLUMAT YANG

DIPERLUKAN KEPADA PENYELIDIK APABILA DIMINTA

56

4. SAYA BOLEH MENARIK DIRI DARIPADA KAJIAN INI PADA BILA-BILA MASA

5. SAYA TELAH MENERIMA SATU SALINAN BORANG PENILAIAN DAN

KEBENARAN PESERTA

57

8.3 Original LASER (Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness)

58

8.4 Translated LASER (Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness)

The Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness

(LASER-Versi Bahasa Melayu)

Nama: _____________________Jantina: � Lelaki � Perempuan

Tarikh Penilaian :____________ Tarikh Lahir: _______________

Soal selidik ini bertujuan

untuk membantu kami

memahami keperluan

anda. Setiap penyataan

menggambarkan perasaan

individu setelah

memulakan pekerjaan

yang berasaskan

perkhidmatan. Untuk setiap

pernyataan, sila tandakan

mengikut tahap

persetujuan anda dan

untuk setiap penyataan,

sila buat pilihan

berasaskan perasaan anda

sekarang. Untuk setiap

pilihan, anda seharusnya

tidak membuat pilihan

berasaskan apa yang telah

Sangat

tidak

bersetuju

Tidak

bersetuju

Teragak-

agak/ belum

memutuskan

Setuju

Sangat

bersetuju

59

anda rasai dahulu ataupun

apa yang akan anda rasai.

1. Saya fikir mungkin saya

harus bersedia untuk

mencari jenis pekerjaan

yang lain.

2. Saya akan melakukan

sesuatu bagi bersedia

untuk mencari pekerjaan

baru.

3. Saya fikir lebih

berfaedah sekiranya saya

berusaha untuk mencari

pekerjaan.

4. Saya tidak faham

mengapa perlunya saya di

sini memandangkan saya

tidak boleh bekerja.

5.Akhirnya saya melakukan

sesuatu dalam mencari

pekerjaan.

6. Saya berpendapat

bahawa mungkin tibalah

masanya saya mencari

60

kerja.

7. Membazir masa sahaja

saya persiapkan diri dalam

mencari pekerjaan kerana

saya memang tidak boleh

bekerja.

8.Saya berpendapat

bekerja adalah tidak bagus

namun tiada apa yang

boleh saya lakukan

tentangnya sekarang.

9. Saya memang

memerlukan perkerjaan

dan seharusnya berusaha

untuk mencarinya.

10. Ramai yang

memngatakan bahawa

saya sepatutnya mencari

pekerjaan, namun saya

tidak berpendapat

sedemikian.

11. Semua orang boleh

mengatakan tentang

kemahuan dalam mencari

pekerjaan tetapi saya

61

sebenarnya sedang

melakukan sesuatu

tentangnya.

12. Perkara ini amat

membosankan, tolong

jangan ganggu saya.

13. Saya aktif berusaha

dalam mencari pekerjaan.

14. Sia-sia sahaja saya

bersedia untuk mencari

pekerjaan kerana saya

memang tidak mahu

bekerja.

62

The Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER)

Nama: _____________________Jantina: � Lelaki � Perempuan

Tarikh Penilaian :____________ Tarikh Lahir: _______________

Pra-Pertimbangan

Pertimbangan Bertindak

4.

1. 2.

7.

3. 5.

8.

6. 11.

10.

9. 13.

12.

14

Jumlah:

Jumlah: Jumlah:

63

8.5 Backward translation of Malay language version Lam Assessment of Stages of

Employment Readiness (LASER)

The Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness

(LASER-Versi Bahasa Melayu)

Name: _____________________Gender: � Male � Female

Date of assessment :________________ Date of Birth : _______________

This questionnaire helps us to

understand your need. Every

statement differentiates feeling

for every person when starting a

new service job. Please indicate

the level of agreement you have

with each statement. In each

case, make your choice in terms

of how you feel right now, not

what you have felt in the past or

would like to feel

Strongly

Disagree

Disagree

Undecided

Agree

Strongly

Agree

1. I think I might be ready to

look for some kind of job.

2. I am doing something to get

ready to look for a job.

3. It might be worth if I trying to

64

find a job.

4. I am not able to work and I do

not see why I have to be here.

5.Finally, I’m doing something in

finding a job.

6. I have been thinking that it

might be time for me to find a

job.

7. Getting myself ready to find a

job is pretty much a waste of

time because I can’t work

anyway.

8. I think working is not good but

there is nothing I can do now.

9. I know I need to get a job and

really think I should work on

finding one.

10. People tell me that I should

get a job, but I don’t think so.

11. Anyone can talk about

wanting to find a job, but I am

actually doing something about

it.

12. This thing about job is so

boring. Why just people don’t

65

bother me?

13. I am actively doing

something to find a job.

14. It’s pretty much a waste of

time getting ready to find a job

because I really don’t want to

work.

66

The Lam Assessment of Stages of Employment Readiness (LASER)

Name: _____________________Gender: � Male � Female

Date of assessment:____________ Date of Birth: _______________

Pre-Contemplation

Stage

Contemplation Stage Action Stage

4.

1. 2.

7.

3. 5.

8.

6. 11.

10.

9. 13.

12.

14

Total :

Total : Total :

67

8.6 Endorsement of the translation from Pusat Bahasa UiTM.

68

8.7 Review form (for panel members)

RESEARCH PROJECT: VALIDATION OF LASER (LAM ASSESSMENT OF STAGES

OF EMPLOYMENT READINESS) FOR MALAY SPOKEN INJURED WORKERS.

REVIEW FORM

INSTRUCTION:

THERE ARE 14 ITEMS IN LASER (LAM ASSESSMENT OF STAGES OF

EMPLOYMENT READINESS). THE PANEL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRE TO RATE ON

A FIVE-POINT LIKERT SCALE WITH “1” REPRESENTING “MOST DISAGREE” AND

“5” REPRESENTING “MOST AGREE”.

THE COMMENTS OF THE PANEL MEMBERS INDICATED THAT THE MAJOR

CONCERNS WERE WITH THE CLARITY OF THE TRANSLATIONS OF THE

EXPRESSION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE PHRASES.

PANEL MEMBER’S DETAIL

NAME: ________________________________________________________________

I/C NO.: _______________________________________________________________

POSITION: _____________________________________________________________

WORKING EXPERIENCES (YEARS): _______________________________________

COMMENT: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

DATE: ________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________________

69

RATING SHEET:

“1” REPRESENTING “VERY DISAGREE”

“2” REPRESENTING “DISAGREE”

“3” REPRESENTING “NEUTRAL”

“4” REPRESENTING “AGREE”

“5” REPRESENTING “VERY AGREE”

ITEM 1: _______

ITEM 2: _______

ITEM 3: _______

ITEM 4: _______

ITEM 5: _______

ITEM 6: _______

ITEM 7: _______

ITEM 8: _______

ITEM 9: _______

ITEM 10: ______

ITEM 11: ______

ITEM 12: ______

ITEM 13: ______

ITEM 14: ______

70

8.9 Permission letter from UiTM

71

9.0 Consultation form from Statistician

72

9.1 Grant Chart and Budgeting

Grant Chart

2008 2009

Task to be

performed

O S O N D J F M A

Problem identification X X

Prioritizing problem X X

Analysis X X

Justification X

Literature review X X X X X

Develop hypothesis

and objective

X

Choose variable X

Choose type of study X

Choose sampling

technique

X

Sampling X

Plan for data collection X X

Plan for data

processing

X X

Ethical consideration X X X X X

Submit proposal X

Pre-testing X X

73

Data collection X X

Data analysis X X

Report writing X

1st draft report X

2nd draft report

Final report

Submit report

74

Budgeting

No Item Units Price per

unit (RM)

Sub total

(RM)

1. Stationery

- Pen

- Pencil

- Eraser

- Stapler

- Staples

- A4 paper comb

- Printer cartridge

2

2 boxes

5

1

1 box

2 comb

1

1.50

2.00

0.50

3.50

1.50

12.00

60.00

3.00

4.00

2.50

3.50

1.50

24.00

60.00

2. Translation Fee 80.00 80.00

3. Phone calls 2 months

usage

30.00 60.00

5. Photostat 50.00 50.00

6. Transportation 2 months

usage

200.00 200.00

Total RM

488.50