The aim of this study was to validate a screen tool for assessing potential
clients’ capacity to consent for social work program participation. In the study, a
purposive sampling method was used and the sample included 264 potential
clients in five social welfare centers in a metropolitan city in South Korea. For
cross-validity, a total of 264 participants were randomly divided into two groups:
one group for exploratory factor analysis (N=132) and the other group for
confirmatory factor analysis (N=132). The first group was used to test internal
consistency, exploratory factor analysis, and construct validity of the first version
of the screen tool for assessing participants’ capacity to consent to social work
program. The second group was used to test internal consistency, confirmatory
factor analysis, and construct validity of the final version of the 8-item screen tool.
The results showed that the reliability of the screen tool was good(ɑ= .871), and
nomological, convergent and discriminant validity were verified by correlation
analyses between the screen tool and relevant variables. Accordingly, the
confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the acceptability of the model fit(SRMR=
.052, RMSEA= .12, NNFI = .89, CFI= .93, IFI= .93). The final scale can be used for
frontline social workers to encourage their potential clients to have the capacity to
consent to social work program and enhance the effectiveness of programs.