Psychometric properties of scales in the General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work (QPS): confirmatory factor analysis and prediction of certified long-term sickness absence

Scand J Psychol. 2009 Jun;50(3):231-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00697.x. Epub 2008 Nov 20.

Abstract

Psychometric properties, particularly predictive validity, of scales in the General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work (QPS(Nordic)) were assessed. The analysis is confined to the scales in the QPS(Nordic,) and 24 of the 26 scales are included. A large group of Swedish county council employees (n= 3,976; response rate = 65%) participated in a study and were given the QPS(Nordic). Register data for long-term sick leave (>90 days), with diagnosis, were used for predictive analysis. The following main results were obtained: Reliability was generally satisfactory, confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit, concurrent validity was good, some less often investigated organizational variables predicted sickness absence, and scales were differentially associated with absence due to psychiatric and musculoskeletal disorders. In conclusion, the psychometric testing of the QPS(Nordic) so far suggests that it is a good instrument for assessing health-related factors at work.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional / diagnosis*
  • Burnout, Professional / prevention & control
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Occupational Diseases / psychology
  • Organizational Culture
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Help Groups
  • Sick Leave*
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Somatoform Disorders / prevention & control
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Workload / psychology
  • Young Adult