(PS10-31) Psychometric Properties of Conversing with Others in the Workplace Knowledge Questionnaire

Abstract Text: Employment can enhance quality of life, improve mental health, and foster social inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Success in the workforce requires not only technical expertise but also essential soft skills, such as conversational abilities, which are often more desirable to employers. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Conversing with Others in the Workplace Knowledge Questionnaire (COWKS) (Oursler & Lu, 2022), a tool designed to assess workplace conversational skills. Participants were drawn from two studies. Study 1 included 175 individuals with disabilities recruited from mental health and vocational rehabilitation agencies (Mean age = 36.7, SD = 14.8). Participants represented diverse disability backgrounds, including psychiatric conditions (54.3%), substance use disorders (28%), and developmental disabilities (22.9%). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in Study 1 identified a three-factor structure: (1) Confidence and Skills in Managing Conversation Topics, (2) Preparation and Appropriateness of Conversation Topics, and (3) Listening and Adaptability to Others' Interests. Study 2 included 48 participants aged 16–29 (Mean age = 22.81, SD = 2.16) with mental health conditions, primarily depression (22.9%) and anxiety (22.9%). Convergent validity analysis in Study 2 showed moderate correlations between the COWKS and the Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale (r = 0.314, p < .01) as well as the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (r = 0.356, p < .01). The final 19-item scale demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s α = .71). Findings suggest that the COWKS is a reliable and valid measure of workplace conversational skills, providing a useful tool for assessing and improving employment-related communication in individuals with disabilities. Future research should explore its predictive validity and test-retest reliability to further strengthen its application in vocational settings.