Cross-validation of the Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire across genders: a study in the Australian health care sector

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Karimi, L., Karanika-Murray, M. ORCID: 0000-0002-4141-3747 and Meyer, D., 2016. Cross-validation of the Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire across genders: a study in the Australian health care sector. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 58 (3), pp. 277-281. ISSN 1076-2752

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000607

Abstract

Objectives The main aim of this study was to examine the measurement invariance of the Work Organisation Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) across genders in a group of healthcare employees, using bifactor modelling. There is a very limited research that uses invariance testing of bifactor models, despite their usefulness. Establishing validity of the WOAQ in this way is important for demonstrating its relevance for both males and females. Methods A bifactor modelling procedure was used here to examine the validity of the WOAQ with a sample of 946 paramedics employed in a large Australian organization in the healthcare sector. Results The results of this study show that the WOAQ has good psychometric properties across genders in healthcare settings. In addition, there were significant mean differences between males and females in their perceptions of ‘quality of relationships with colleagues’, and ‘reward and recognition’. There were no differences between males and females on the remaining factors: ‘quality of relationships with the management’, ‘quality of relationships with colleagues’, and ‘quality of the physical environment’. Conclusions The use of bifactor modelling to establish the cross-validity of the WOAQ across male and female paramedics adds to evidence for the measure’s good psychometric properties. The findings add to those of previous research that has used higher order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Moreover, mean differences between males and females were found to be significant in two of the five WOAQ subscales. These findings have practical implications for healthcare organizations, in terms of assessing work characteristics and developing activities to support the health and well-being of their employees.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

Cross-validation of the Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire across genders: a study in the Australian healthcare sector

Publication Title:

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Creators:

Karimi, L., Karanika-Murray, M. and Meyer, D.

Publisher:

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia, PA, USA