Factorial validity of the noise sensitivity questionnaire

Abstract

The Noise Sensitivity Questionnaire (NoiSeQ) aims at the measurement of global noise sensitivity as well as the sensitivity for five domains of everyday life namely 'Leisure', 'Work', 'Habitation', 'Communication' and 'Sleep'. The present investigation examined the factorial validity of the NoiSeQ to determine whether the items of the NoiSeQ cover the different factors as assumed. The analysis was done using the method of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The linear structural model took into consideration only the scales of the NoiSeQ for which reliability could be demonstrated, namely, 'Sleep', 'Communication', 'Habitation' and 'Work'. The linear structural model presumed that each of the 28 items has a relation only to one corresponding factor. Furthermore, the model allowed for correlations between the four factors. The data base encompassed 293 persons. Parameter estimation was based on the General Least Square method. The data was checked with respect to the occurrence of multivariate outliers, deviation from multivariate normality and existing collinearities. The data met the overall requirements of a CFA. The evaluation of model fit was based on the relative chi2 -value, the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, the Goodness of Fit Index, the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index and the Root Mean Square Residual. All fit indices indicated an acceptable match of the model. As the postulated structure of the NoiSeQ was consistent with the empirical data, the classification of the items as well as the claimed interdependencies between the scales can be maintained. The regression weights of all items as well as the correlations between the latent variables were statistically significant. The estimated reliability of the latent variables took values of >/=0.84. The findings generally justified the conclusion that there is no urgent need to modify the four scales of the NoiSeQ thus, indicating the factorial validity of the NoiSeQ.

Noise effect on comfort in open-space offices: development of an assessment questionnaire

“…A shorter version has been created for each scale. We decided to use the reduced version of the NoiseQ developed by Schütte, Marks, et al (2007) and Schütte, Sandrock, and Griefahn (2007) since the constitution of the items in this scale is based on the WNS and LEF items which have been reformulated to obtain a better understanding of the content. The reduced version (NoiseQ-R) consists of 3 subscales (sleep, habitation and work) with 4 items each, making a total of 12 questions.…”

Exploring the Relationship between Noise Sensitivity, Annoyance and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Adults Exposed to Environmental Noise

“…Global noise sensitivity is computed as the average of the leisure, work, habitation, communication and sleep subscales, with higher means indicating greater sensitivity. The work, sleep and communication subscales have been reported to be sufficiently reliable, while the leisure and habitation subscales not nearly so [35,36]. …”

Impairing effects of noise in high and low noise sensitive persons working on different mental tasks

“…Noise sensitivity was assessed with the noise sensitivity questionnaire (Schütte et al 2007a) that quantiWes the estimation of noise sensitivity globally and separately for Wve everyday activities (communication, habitation, leisure, sleep, work, Schütte et al 2007b). The questionnaire consists of 35 items and the global noise sensitivity score equals the average of all items.…”