A Comparison of Incident-based and Scale Measures of Work Stressors
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
10 p.
Publication Date
1997
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Source Publication
Work & Stress
Source ISSN
0267-8373
Abstract
Occupational stress researchers have often questioned whether scale measures of work-related stressors accurately reflect the day-to-day experiences of employees. As an alternative to such measures, some have suggested the use of qualitative measures. Unfortunately, however, there have been no direct comparisons of these two measurement methods. In the present study, female employees (n = 151) were asked to complete scale measures of three common work stressors, strains, and self-esteem. Stressors were also measured using a qualitative methodology based on critical incidents. Results indicated good convergence between stressors measured by these two methods, although there was some indication that order effects may have led to method bias in the qualitative procedure. Both sets of measures explained a significant amount of variance in strains, although the scale measures explained more. Only the stressors measured by scales were related to self-esteem, suggesting that these may be more influenced by dispositions than qualitative measures. Implications of these findings for occupational stress research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Jex, Steve M.; Adams, Gary A.; Elacqua, Tina C.; and Lux, David J., "A Comparison of Incident-based and Scale Measures of Work Stressors" (1997). Management Faculty Research and Publications. 219.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mgmt_fac/219
Comments
Work & Stress, Vol. 110, No. 3 (1997): 229-238. DOI.
Gary A. Adams was affiliated with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh at the time of publication.