Validation of the Persian Version of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) in an Iranian Stroke Population: Predictors of Participation in Meaningful Activities.

Importance: The inability to participate in meaningful activities is one of stroke survivors' main difficulties and has a negative effect on their satisfaction and quality of life.

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS-P) and predictors of participation in meaningful activity among chronic stroke survivors.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Medical and rehabilitation centers.

Participants: One hundred twenty-three people (75 men, 48 women) with chronic stroke.

Outcomes And Measures: Participants were evaluated with the EMAS-P, Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Purpose in Life Test-Short Form (PIL-SF), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z).

Results: The EMAS-P showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .95) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .87 for EMAS-P total score). Test-retest reliability for each EMAS-P item was moderate (κ = .40-.65). A significant correlation between the EMAS-P and PIL-SF (r = .86), SWLS (r = .83), LSI-Z (r = .75), and SF-36 subscales (rs = .52-.83) indicated the appropriate convergent validity. The EMAS-P's discriminative validity was also confirmed for age, depression level, and disability level among people with chronic stroke. Depression, disability level, gender, and fatigue were significant predictors of EMAS-P score.

Conclusions And Relevance: The results indicate that the EMAS-P has acceptable reliability and validity among Iranian people with chronic stroke. Moreover, the EMAS-P showed good discriminant validity for age, depression, and disability level among them. What This Article Adds: The EMAS-P is a reliable and valid scale for assessing the engagement of Iranian chronic stroke survivors in meaningful activities and thus should be helpful in both clinical research and practice.