The Therapeutic Agency Inventory: Translation and Preliminary Validation in a Korean Sample

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Therapeutic agency refers to the client's perception of oneself as a proactive agent of change. This study aimed to translate and validate the Therapeutic Agency Inventory (TAI) in a Korean sample. Method Two independent samples ( N = 330 and 339, respectively) of Korean college students were obtained. Study 1 conducted exploratory factor analysis to examine the underlying structure of the Korean version of the TAI (K‐TAI). Study 2 used confirmatory factor analysis to validate its factor structure. Additional analyses tested reliability, convergent and discriminant validity and predictive validity of counselling goal attainment. Results The findings supported a 3‐factor 11‐item structure that was largely consistent with the original instrument, with minor cultural adaptations. The K‐TAI demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. Furthermore, the inventory significantly explained additional variance in counselling outcomes beyond working alliance. Conclusions The K‐TAI is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing client agency for Korean populations, contributing to a better understanding of therapeutic change mechanisms in a non‐Western sample.