Dimensionality of the system usability scale among professionals using internet-based interventions for depression: a confirmatory factor analysis

Mol M., van Schaik A., Dozeman E., Ruwaard J., Vis C., Ebert D. D., ...More

BMC PSYCHIATRY, vol.20, no.1, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1186/s12888-020-02627-8
  • Journal Name: BMC PSYCHIATRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Internet interventions, Depression, System usability scale, Psychometric evaluation, Confirmatory factor analysis, COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY, USER EXPERIENCE, SUS, SATISFACTION, DISORDERS, INDEXES, UMUX
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

BackgroundThe System Usability Scale (SUS) is used to measure usability of internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT). However, whether the SUS is a valid instrument to measure usability in this context is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the factor structure of the SUS, measuring usability of iCBT for depression in a sample of professionals. In addition, the psychometric properties (reliability, convergent validity) of the SUS were tested.MethodsA sample of 242 professionals using iCBT for depression from 6 European countries completed the SUS. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to test whether a one-factor, two-factor, tone-model or bi-direct model would fit the data best. Reliability was assessed using complementary statistical indices (e.g. omega). To assess convergent validity, the SUS total score was correlated with an adapted Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-3).ResultsCFA supported the one-factor, two-factor and tone-model, but the bi-factor model fitted the data best (Comparative Fit Index=0.992, Tucker Lewis Index=0.985, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.055, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual=0.042 (respectively chi (2)(diff) (9)=69.82, p<0.001; (2)(diff) (8) (=) 33.04, p<0.001). Reliability of the SUS was good (=0.91). The total SUS score correlated moderately with the CSQ-3 (CSQ1 r(s) =.49, p<0.001; CSQ2 r(s) =.46, p<0.001; CSQ3 r(s) =.38, p<0.001), indicating convergent validity.ConclusionsAlthough the SUS seems to have a multidimensional structure, the best model showed that the total sumscore of the SUS appears to be a valid and interpretable measure to assess the usability of internet-based interventions when used by professionals in mental healthcare.