Psychometric testing of the British‐English Perceived Workplace Support Scale, Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale, and Work Transitions Index in four rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aims were to validate linguistically British‐English versions of the Perceived Workplace Support Scale (PWSS), Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale (WABPPS), and Work Transitions Index (WTI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM).MethodsThe three scales were adapted into British‐English and reviewed by an expert panel prior to cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants completed postal questionnaires. Construct validity for the PWSS was assessed using Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity included testing between the three scales and work, job strain and work‐life balance scales. Two weeks later, participants were mailed a second questionnaire to measure test‐retest reliability.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 831 employed participants: 68% women, 53.50 (SD 8.9) years of age, with condition duration 7.70 (SD 8.00) years. The PWSS satisfied Rasch model requirements. Concurrent validity was mostly as hypothesised, that is, weak to moderate negative correlations for the PWSS (rs = 0.07 to −0.61), and weak to moderate positive correlations for the WABPPS and WTI (rs = 0.20–0.52). Some correlations were stronger, mostly in axSpA. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for all three scales was consistent with group use in all conditions. Test‐retest reliability was generally excellent, with intraclass coefficients (2,1) of 0.80–0.93 for the three scales in the four conditions.DiscussionReliable, valid versions of the British‐English PWSS, WABPPS, and WTI are now available for use in research, organisational level studies and vocational rehabilitation.

Work limitations and associated factors in rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia

“…These included: hours worked; organization size; and job skill level (Office of National Statistics, 2010). Other measures were physical job demands (i.e., extent of physically active work and movement required in their job (Gignac et al., 2011); extent of control over work (Gignac et al., 2007); and the British‐English Perceived Workplace Support Scale with three subscales of support from: managers; co‐workers; and their company/organization (Gignac et al., 2007; Hammond, Tennant, Prior, & Gignac, 2023). Lastly, the British‐English Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale was used to identify need for work adjustments and policies at work (16 yes/no items), for example, flexible hours, working from home part of the week, modified work duties (Gignac et al., 2018; Hammond, Tennant, Prior, & Gignac, 2023).…”

“…Two options were added about: receiving help from others (yes/no); and if adapted (i.e., special equipment or work modifications) (yes/no) to explore availability of work adaptations and accommodations. Scores for each option can be summed from 0 to 12 (Gignac et al., 2005; Hammond, Tennant, Prior, & Gignac, 2023). Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) for the Help subscale is RA = 0.84, axSpA = 0.85, OA = 0.86, FM = 0.83; and Modifications sub‐scale: RA = 0.77; axSpA = 0.77; OA = 0.83; FM = 0.80, that is, all values are consistent with group use (Evans, 1996).…”

“…For OA, a condition‐specific pain scale was used (see below). Poorer mental health/job‐related stress was measured using the British‐English Long‐Term Conditions Job Strain Scale (LTCJSS), of stress associated with for example, working with symptoms, work scheduling, work relationships (Gignac et al., 2007; Hammond, Tennant, Prior, & Gignac, 2023). The Mental‐Interpersonal Demands (Work Limitations Questionnaire‐25: MID‐WLQ‐25) subscale measures the degree of difficulty with mental (e.g., concentration) and social activities at work (Lerner et al., 2001).…”

“…Self‐disclosure of heath condition(s) at work was measured by asking: ‘Does your employer/supervisor know about your arthritis?’ (yes/no) and ‘How many, if any, of your co‐workers know about your arthritis?’ (0 = none; 4 = all) (Gignac et al., 2009). Work‐life balance was measured using two sub‐scales of the British ‐English Work‐Health‐Personal Life Perceptions Scale (WHPLPS): (a) health condition affecting work; and (b) work/personal life affecting health condition and its management (Gignac et al., 2014; Hammond, Tennant, Prior, & Gignac, 2023).…”

Psychometric testing of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Work Instability Scale in employed people with fibromyalgia

“…In Phase 2, cross-sectional surveys were conducted to establish the psychometric properties of the RA-WIS in FM. The Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist was followed (Gagnier et al, 2021;Mokkink et al, 2010) (Hammond et al, 2023b).…”