Affiliations: Centre of Public Health, School of Health and Society,
Kristianstad University College, Kristianstad, Sweden | Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Faculty of
Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Petra Nilsson, Centre of Public
Health, School of Health and Society, Kristianstad University College, 291 88
Kristianstad, Sweden. Tel.: +46 44 20 40 61; Fax: +46 44 20 40 19; E-mail: petra.nilsson@hkr.se
Abstract: Instruments related to work are commonly illuminated from an
ill-health perspective. The need for a concise and useable instrument in
workplace health promotion governed the aim of this paper which is to present
the development process and quality assessment of the Work Experience
Measurement Scale (WEMS). A survey, using a questionnaire based on established
theories regarding work and health, and a focus group study were performed in
hospital settings in 2005 and 2006 respectively. A Principal Component Analysis
(PCA) was used to statistically develop a model, and focus group interviews
were made to compare quantitative and qualitative results for convergence and
corroboration. The PCA resulted in a six factor model of dimensions containing
items regarding management, reorganization, internal work experience, pressure
of time, autonomy and supportive working conditions. In the analysis of the
focus group study three themes appeared and their underlying content was
compared to, and matched, with the dimensions of the PCA. The reliability,
shown by weighted kappa values, ranged from 0.36 to 0.71, and adequate
Cronbach's Alpha values of the dimensions were all above 0.7. The study
validity, indicated by discriminant validity, with correlation values that
ranged from 0.10 to 0.39, in relation to the content validity appeared to be
good when the theoretical content of the WEMS was compared to the content of
similar instruments. The WEMS presents a multidimensional picture of work
experience. Its theoretical base and the psychometric properties give support
for applicability and offer a possibility to measure trends in the work
experience over time in health care settings. One intention of the WEMS is to
stimulate the ability of organizations and the employees themselves to take
action on improving their work experience. The conciseness of the instrument is
intended to increase its usability.
