Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2005

01-04-2005 | Original Article

Effort–reward imbalance at work and job dissatisfaction in Chinese healthcare workers: a validation study

Authors: Jian Li, Wenjie Yang, Yawen Cheng, Johannes Siegrist, Sung-Il Cho

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2005

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the 23-item effort–reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire and to analyze its association with job dissatisfaction in a sample of Chinese healthcare workers. Methods: A self-reported survey was conducted, in university hospitals of China, among 192 male and 608 female healthcare workers. Results: Appropriate internal consistencies of the three scales: effort, reward, and overcommitment, were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis replicated the theoretically assumed structure of the ERI construct in men and women. Evidence of criterion validity was obtained from cross-correlations of the scales and from their correlations with gender, education and job dissatisfaction. Finally, all three scales were associated with an elevated odds ratio of job dissatisfaction, and the effect was strongest for the ERI ratio as predicted by theory. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study the Chinese version of the ERI questionnaire is considered a reliable and valid instrument for measuring psychosocial stress at work. It is applicable to Chinese working populations and, in particular, to the healthcare sector.
Literature
go back to reference Bakker AB, Killmer CH, Siegrist J, Schaufeli WB (2000) Effort–reward imbalance and burnout among nurses. J Adv Nurs 31:884–891 Bakker AB, Killmer CH, Siegrist J, Schaufeli WB (2000) Effort–reward imbalance and burnout among nurses. J Adv Nurs 31:884–891
go back to reference Callaghan P, Tak-Ying SA, Wyatt PA (2000) Factors related to stress and coping among Chinese nurses in Hong Kong. J Adv Nurs 31:1518–1527 Callaghan P, Tak-Ying SA, Wyatt PA (2000) Factors related to stress and coping among Chinese nurses in Hong Kong. J Adv Nurs 31:1518–1527
go back to reference Cherniss C (1992) Long-term consequences of burnout: an exploratory study. J Organ Behav 13:1–11 Cherniss C (1992) Long-term consequences of burnout: an exploratory study. J Organ Behav 13:1–11
go back to reference Christiani DC, Tan X, Wang X (2002) Occupational health in China. Occup Med 17:355–370 Christiani DC, Tan X, Wang X (2002) Occupational health in China. Occup Med 17:355–370
go back to reference Cooper CL (1998) Theories of organizational stress. Oxford University Press, Oxford Cooper CL (1998) Theories of organizational stress. Oxford University Press, Oxford
go back to reference Dunham J (2001) Stress in the workplace: past, present and future. Whurr, London Dunham J (2001) Stress in the workplace: past, present and future. Whurr, London
go back to reference Hanson EK, Schaufeli W, Vrijkotte T, Plomp NH, Godaert GL (2000) The validity and reliability of the Dutch effort–reward imbalance questionnaire. J Occup Health Psychol 5:142–155 Hanson EK, Schaufeli W, Vrijkotte T, Plomp NH, Godaert GL (2000) The validity and reliability of the Dutch effort–reward imbalance questionnaire. J Occup Health Psychol 5:142–155
go back to reference Karasek R, Theorell T (1990) Healthy work: stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. Basic Books, New York Karasek R, Theorell T (1990) Healthy work: stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. Basic Books, New York
go back to reference Karasek R, Brisson C, Kawakami N, Houtman I, Bongers P, Amick B (1998) The job content questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psychol 3:322–355CrossRefPubMed Karasek R, Brisson C, Kawakami N, Houtman I, Bongers P, Amick B (1998) The job content questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psychol 3:322–355CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kawakami N, Haratani T (1999) Epidemiology of job stress and health in Japan: review of current evidence and future direction. Ind Health 37:174–186PubMed Kawakami N, Haratani T (1999) Epidemiology of job stress and health in Japan: review of current evidence and future direction. Ind Health 37:174–186PubMed
go back to reference Kivimäki M, Leino-Arjas P, Luukkonen R, Riihimäki H, Vahtera J, Kirjonen J (2002) Work stress and risk of cardiovascular mortality: prospective cohort study of industrial employees. BMJ 325:857–862 Kivimäki M, Leino-Arjas P, Luukkonen R, Riihimäki H, Vahtera J, Kirjonen J (2002) Work stress and risk of cardiovascular mortality: prospective cohort study of industrial employees. BMJ 325:857–862
go back to reference Kuper H, Marmot M (2003) Job strain, job demands, decision latitude, and risk of coronary heart disease within the Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:147–153 Kuper H, Marmot M (2003) Job strain, job demands, decision latitude, and risk of coronary heart disease within the Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:147–153
go back to reference Kuper H, Singh-Manoux A, Siegrist J, Marmot M (2002) When reciprocity fails: effort–reward imbalance in relation to coronary heart disease and health functioning within the Whitehall II study. Occup Environ Med 59:777–784 Kuper H, Singh-Manoux A, Siegrist J, Marmot M (2002) When reciprocity fails: effort–reward imbalance in relation to coronary heart disease and health functioning within the Whitehall II study. Occup Environ Med 59:777–784
go back to reference Landsbergis PA (2003) The changing organization of work and the safety and health of working people: a commentary. J Occup Environ Med 45:61–72 Landsbergis PA (2003) The changing organization of work and the safety and health of working people: a commentary. J Occup Environ Med 45:61–72
go back to reference Lee S, Colditz G, Berkman L, Kawachi I (2002) A prospective study of job strain and coronary heart disease in US women. Int J Epidemiol 31:1147–1153 Lee S, Colditz G, Berkman L, Kawachi I (2002) A prospective study of job strain and coronary heart disease in US women. Int J Epidemiol 31:1147–1153
go back to reference Li J, Eum KD, Lee HE, Kim SS, Paek DM, Cho SI (2003) The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the effort–reward imbalance questionnaire among industrial workers. In: The 55th fall conference of the Korean society of preventive medicine, Pyong Chang, 23–25 October 2003 Li J, Eum KD, Lee HE, Kim SS, Paek DM, Cho SI (2003) The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the effort–reward imbalance questionnaire among industrial workers. In: The 55th fall conference of the Korean society of preventive medicine, Pyong Chang, 23–25 October 2003
go back to reference McLeod J, Smith GD, Heslop P, Metcalfe C, Carroll D, Hart C (2001) Are the effects of psychosocial exposures attributable to confounding? Evidence from a prospective observational study on psychological stress and mortality. J Epidemiol Community Health 55:878–884 McLeod J, Smith GD, Heslop P, Metcalfe C, Carroll D, Hart C (2001) Are the effects of psychosocial exposures attributable to confounding? Evidence from a prospective observational study on psychological stress and mortality. J Epidemiol Community Health 55:878–884
go back to reference Nelson DL, Burke RJ (2002) Gender, work stress, and health. American Psychological Association, Washington Nelson DL, Burke RJ (2002) Gender, work stress, and health. American Psychological Association, Washington
go back to reference Ostry AS, Kelly S, Demers PA, Mustard C, Hertzman C (2003) A comparison between the effort–reward imbalance and demand control models. BMC Public Health 3:10–19 Ostry AS, Kelly S, Demers PA, Mustard C, Hertzman C (2003) A comparison between the effort–reward imbalance and demand control models. BMC Public Health 3:10–19
go back to reference Perrewe P, Ganster D (2002) Historical and current perspectives on stress and health, vol 2. Elsevier, Oxford Perrewe P, Ganster D (2002) Historical and current perspectives on stress and health, vol 2. Elsevier, Oxford
go back to reference Peter R, Alfredsson L, Hammar N, Siegrist J, Theorell T, Westerholm P (1998) High effort, low reward, and cardiovascular risk factors in employed Swedish men and women: baseline results from the WOLF study. J Epidemiol Community Health 52:540–547PubMed Peter R, Alfredsson L, Hammar N, Siegrist J, Theorell T, Westerholm P (1998) High effort, low reward, and cardiovascular risk factors in employed Swedish men and women: baseline results from the WOLF study. J Epidemiol Community Health 52:540–547PubMed
go back to reference Peter R, Siegrist J, Hallqvist J, Reuterwall C, Theorell T, SHEEP Study Group (2002) Psychosocial work environment and myocardial infarction: improving risk estimation by combining two alternative job stress models in the SHEEP Study. J Epidemiol Community Health 56:294–300 Peter R, Siegrist J, Hallqvist J, Reuterwall C, Theorell T, SHEEP Study Group (2002) Psychosocial work environment and myocardial infarction: improving risk estimation by combining two alternative job stress models in the SHEEP Study. J Epidemiol Community Health 56:294–300
go back to reference Pikhart H, Bobak M, Siegrist J, Pajak A, Rywik S, Kyshegyi J, Gostautas A, Skodova Z, Marmot M (2001) Psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health in four post-communist countries. J Epidemiol Community Health 55:624–630 Pikhart H, Bobak M, Siegrist J, Pajak A, Rywik S, Kyshegyi J, Gostautas A, Skodova Z, Marmot M (2001) Psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health in four post-communist countries. J Epidemiol Community Health 55:624–630
go back to reference Schnall P, Belkic K, Landsbergis P, Baker D (2000) The workplace and cardiovascular disease. Occup Med 15:69–106 Schnall P, Belkic K, Landsbergis P, Baker D (2000) The workplace and cardiovascular disease. Occup Med 15:69–106
go back to reference Siegrist J (1996) Adverse health effects of high-effort/low-reward conditions at work. J Occup Health Psychol 1:27–43CrossRefPubMed Siegrist J (1996) Adverse health effects of high-effort/low-reward conditions at work. J Occup Health Psychol 1:27–43CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Siegrist J, Starke D, Chandola T, Godin I, Marmot M, Niedhammer I, Peter R (2004) The measurement of effort–reward imbalance at work: European comparisons. Soc Sci Med 58:1483–1499CrossRefPubMed Siegrist J, Starke D, Chandola T, Godin I, Marmot M, Niedhammer I, Peter R (2004) The measurement of effort–reward imbalance at work: European comparisons. Soc Sci Med 58:1483–1499CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Stansfeld SA, Bosma H, Hemingway H, Marmot MG (1998) Psychosocial work characteristics and social support as predictors of SF-36 health functioning: the Whitehall II study. Psychosom Med 60:247–255 Stansfeld SA, Bosma H, Hemingway H, Marmot MG (1998) Psychosocial work characteristics and social support as predictors of SF-36 health functioning: the Whitehall II study. Psychosom Med 60:247–255
go back to reference Stansfeld SA, Fuhrer R, Shipley MJ, Marmot MG (1999) Work characteristics predict psychiatric disorder: prospective results from the Whitehall II study. Occup Environ Med 56:302–307PubMed Stansfeld SA, Fuhrer R, Shipley MJ, Marmot MG (1999) Work characteristics predict psychiatric disorder: prospective results from the Whitehall II study. Occup Environ Med 56:302–307PubMed
go back to reference Tseng HP, Cheng Y (2002) Reliability and validity of the Chinese demand–control–support model and effort–reward imbalance model questionnaires: a study among employees of the microelectronics industry (in Chinese). Taiwan J Public Health 21:420–432 Tseng HP, Cheng Y (2002) Reliability and validity of the Chinese demand–control–support model and effort–reward imbalance model questionnaires: a study among employees of the microelectronics industry (in Chinese). Taiwan J Public Health 21:420–432
go back to reference Tsutsumi A, Ishitake T, Peter R, Siegrist J, Matoba T (2001a) The Japanese version of the effort–reward imbalance questionnaire: a study in dental technicians. Work Stress 15:86–96 Tsutsumi A, Ishitake T, Peter R, Siegrist J, Matoba T (2001a) The Japanese version of the effort–reward imbalance questionnaire: a study in dental technicians. Work Stress 15:86–96
go back to reference Tsutsumi A, Kayaba K, Theorell T, Siegrist J (2001b) Association between job stress and depression among Japanese employees threatened by job loss in a comparison between two complementary job-stress models. Scand J Work Environ Health 27:146–153PubMed Tsutsumi A, Kayaba K, Theorell T, Siegrist J (2001b) Association between job stress and depression among Japanese employees threatened by job loss in a comparison between two complementary job-stress models. Scand J Work Environ Health 27:146–153PubMed
go back to reference van Vegchel N, de Jonge J, Meijer T, Hamers JP (2001) Different effort constructs and effort–reward imbalance: effects on employee well-being in ancillary health care workers. J Adv Nurs 34:128–136 van Vegchel N, de Jonge J, Meijer T, Hamers JP (2001) Different effort constructs and effort–reward imbalance: effects on employee well-being in ancillary health care workers. J Adv Nurs 34:128–136
go back to reference Weinberg A, Creed F (2000) Stress and psychiatric disorder in healthcare professionals and hospital staff. Lancet 355:533–537 Weinberg A, Creed F (2000) Stress and psychiatric disorder in healthcare professionals and hospital staff. Lancet 355:533–537
go back to reference Xu L, Siegrist J, Cao W, Li L, Tomlinson B, Chan J (2004) Measuring job stress and family stress in Chinese working women: a validation study focusing on blood pressure and psychosomatic symptoms. Women Health 39:31–46 Xu L, Siegrist J, Cao W, Li L, Tomlinson B, Chan J (2004) Measuring job stress and family stress in Chinese working women: a validation study focusing on blood pressure and psychosomatic symptoms. Women Health 39:31–46
go back to reference Yu SF (1997) Introduction of instruments for occupational stress from western countries (in Chinese). Ind Health Occup Med 23:126–128 Yu SF (1997) Introduction of instruments for occupational stress from western countries (in Chinese). Ind Health Occup Med 23:126–128
go back to reference Yu MY, Sarri R (1997) Women’s health status and gender inequality in China. Soc Sci Med 45:1885–1898 Yu MY, Sarri R (1997) Women’s health status and gender inequality in China. Soc Sci Med 45:1885–1898
Metadata
Title
Effort–reward imbalance at work and job dissatisfaction in Chinese healthcare workers: a validation study
Authors
Jian Li
Wenjie Yang
Yawen Cheng
Johannes Siegrist
Sung-Il Cho
Publication date
01-04-2005
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2005
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0581-7

Other articles of this Issue 3/2005

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2005 Go to the issue