What Does a Single-Item Measure of Job Stressfulness Assess

Bibliographic Data

ID15469656
AuthorsJonathan Houdmont (0000-0001-5174-2619, University of Nottingham, corresponding author), Liza Jachens (0000-0003-2581-285X, Webster University Geneva), Raymond Randall (0000-0002-6991-9037, University of Sheffield), Sadie Hopson (University of Nottingham), Sean Nuttall (University of Nottingham), Stamatia Pamia (University of Nottingham)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue9
Pages1480-1480
Publication date2019-04-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16091480
PMID31027356
OpenAlexW2940750254
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited41

Single-item measures of global job stressfulness are increasingly used in occupational health research, yet their construct validity remains unexplored. This study used a qualitative approach to identify frames of reference that underlie self-ratings on such a measure. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 55 adults in full-time employment who completed a single-item measure inviting a rating of the extent to which their job is generally stressful. A cognitive interview schedule was used to explore the factors taken into account when providing a global rating, with thematic analysis applied to identify themes in the interview transcripts. The most common frames of reference were the presence of problematic psychosocial working conditions, particularly job demands. Health characteristics, predominantly poor psychological wellbeing, emerged as a further less dominant secondary theme. Almost half the sample cited four or more referents. In terms of the timeframe under consideration, most participants referred to a long timeframe such as their work in general, with some specifying their current job and, a few, recent weeks. These findings shed light on the frames of reference used to inform judgements on global job stressfulness elicited by a single-item measure and in doing so contribute to the evidence base to support the application of such measures in occupational health research and organisational psychosocial risk management activities

Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Qualitative research · Sample (material · Thematic analysis · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Psychology · Stress and Burnout Research · Workplace Health and Well-being

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access