Validating the Demand Control Support Questionnaire among white-collar employees in Switzerland and the United States
Mauss D, Herr RM, Theorell T, Angerer P, Li J (2018)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2018
Journal
Book Volume: 13
Article Number: 7
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1186/s12995-018-0188-7
Abstract
Background: The Demand Control Support Questionnaire (DCSQ) is an established self-reported tool to measure a stressful work environment. Validated German and English versions are however currently missing. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the psychometric properties of German and English versions of the DCSQ among white-collar employees in Switzerland and the US. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 499 employees in Switzerland and 411 in the US, respectively. The 17-item DCSQ with three scales assessed psychosocial stress at work (psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support at work). Depressive symptoms were measured by the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Cronbach's α and item-total correlations tested the scale reliability (internal consistency). Construct validity of the questionnaire was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Logistic regressions estimated associations of each scale and job strain with depressive symptoms (criterion validity). Results: In both samples, all DCSQ scales presented satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.72; item-total correlations ≥ 0.33), and EFA showed the 17 items loading on three factors, which is in line with the theoretically assumed structure of the DCSQ construct. Moreover, all three scales as well as high job strain were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The associations were stronger in the US sample. Conclusions: The German and the English versions of the DCSQ seem to be reliable and valid instruments to measure psychosocial stress based on the job demand-control-support model in the workplace of white-collar employees in Switzerland and the US.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Germany (DE)
Stockholm University / Stockholms universitet
Sweden (SE)
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Stockholm University / Stockholms universitet
Sweden (SE)
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Mauss, D., Herr, R.M., Theorell, T., Angerer, P., & Li, J. (2018). Validating the Demand Control Support Questionnaire among white-collar employees in Switzerland and the United States. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 13(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12995-018-0188-7
MLA:
Mauss, Daniel, et al. "Validating the Demand Control Support Questionnaire among white-collar employees in Switzerland and the United States." Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 13.1 (2018).
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