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Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 6/2009

01-05-2009 | Original Article

Experimental manipulation of psychosocial exposure and questionnaire sensitivity in a simulated manufacturing setting

Authors: Laura H. Ikuma, Kari Babski-Reeves, Maury A. Nussbaum

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of experimental manipulations of psychosocial exposures and to evaluate the sensitivity of a psychosocial questionnaire by determining the factors perceived.

Methods

A 50-item questionnaire was developed from the job content questionnaire (JCQ) and the quality of worklife survey (QWL). The experiment involved simulated work at different physical and psychosocial levels. Forty-eight participants were exposed to two levels of one psychosocial manipulation (job control, job demands, social support, or time pressure).

Results

Significantly different questionnaire responses supported the effectiveness of psychosocial manipulations. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors: skill discretion and decision authority, stress level and supervisor support, physical demands, quality of coworker support, and decision-making support.

Conclusions

These results suggest that psychosocial factors can be manipulated experimentally, and that questionnaires can distinguish perceptions of these factors. These questionnaires may be used to assess perceptions of psychosocial factors in experimental settings.
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Metadata
Title
Experimental manipulation of psychosocial exposure and questionnaire sensitivity in a simulated manufacturing setting
Authors
Laura H. Ikuma
Kari Babski-Reeves
Maury A. Nussbaum
Publication date
01-05-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0364-7

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