Development and reliability testing of a self-report instrument to measure the office layout as a correlate of occupational sitting

Abstract

BackgroundSpatial configurations of office environments assessed by Space Syntax methodologies are related to employee movement patterns. These methods require analysis of floors plans which are not readily available in large population-based studies or otherwise unavailable. Therefore a self-report instrument to assess spatial configurations of office environments using four scales was developed.MethodsThe scales are: local connectivity (16 items), overall connectivity (11 items), visibility of co-workers (10 items), and proximity of co-workers (5 items). A panel cohort (N = 1154) completed an online survey, only data from individuals employed in office-based occupations (n = 307) were used to assess scale measurement properties. To assess test-retest reliability a separate sample of 37 office-based workers completed the survey on two occasions 7.7 (±3.2) days apart. Redundant scale items were eliminated using factor analysis; Chronbach’s α was used to evaluate internal consistency and test re-test reliability (retest-ICC). ANOVA was employed to examine differences between office types (Private, Shared, Open) as a measure of construct validity. Generalized Linear Models were used to examine relationships between spatial configuration scales and the duration of and frequency of breaks in occupational sitting.ResultsThe number of items on all scales were reduced, Chronbach’s α and ICCs indicated good scale internal consistency and test re-test reliability: local connectivity (5 items; α = 0.70; retest-ICC = 0.84), overall connectivity (6 items; α = 0.86; retest-ICC = 0.87), visibility of co-workers (4 items; α = 0.78; retest-ICC = 0.86), and proximity of co-workers (3 items; α = 0.85; retest-ICC = 0.70). Significant (p ≤ 0.001) differences, in theoretically expected directions, were observed for all scales between office types, except overall connectivity. Significant associations were observed between all scales and occupational sitting behaviour (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionAll scales have good measurement properties indicating the instrument may be a useful alternative to Space Syntax to examine environmental correlates of occupational sitting in population surveys.

Reliability and validity of three questionnaires measuring context-specific sedentary behaviour and associated correlates in adolescents, adults and older adults

“…All participants completed the same questionnaire on context-specific SB and its potential correlates twice. In line with Duncan et al [ 22 ], at least a 6 days interval elapsed between both measurements (mean interval: adolescents = 16 ± 9 days; adults = 14 ± 5 days; older adults = 9 ± 1 days). Adolescents and adults self-completed a paper version of the questionnaire at home (test-retest design).…”

Correlates of US adult physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns

“…Modification of the office environment may be one approach to successfully reducing prolonged and overall sitting time. 27 Incorporation of regular, short physical activity bouts into organizational culture also may help to promote physical activity. 28 Meanwhile, environmental and policy interventions to increase access to recreational resources may promote leisure time physical activity.…”

Review of Measures of Worksite Environmental and Policy Supports for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating

“…Social environments, including role models, champions, and support, are highly associated with PA and obesity ( 15 , 16 ). Among the subdomains, specialized instruments (ie, Office Environment and Sitting Scale [ 20 ], Kaczynski et al [ 22 ], and the WWAT [ 30 ]) had minimal, if any, coverage. Also, despite including more than 100 unique items, CHEW had minimal coverage for the HE subdomains (only 9 of 19 subdomains covered) ( Appendix ).…”