On cross-sectional questionnaire studies of relationships between psychosocial conditions at work and health—are they reliable?

摘要: It is not known towhat extent self reported assessments of the psychosocial work environment—that majority research reports have been based upon—reflect individual characteristics (which may distort perception reality) and to what they reflect true environmental conditions. Critics argue that ‘‘subjectivity bias’’ explain most observed associations between working conditions health (Wainwright Calnan 2002; Mc Leod Davey Smith 2003). This indeed a classical problem in this research. We will discuss some aspects but reader interested whole range assessment problems referred other articles (for instance Zapf et al. 1996). The with self-reported data particularly prominent when both environment are described by means self-reports (common method variance) recorded at same time cross-sectional study. Such studies relatively cheap easy perform therefore abundant. source error comes mind first all possible tendency among subjects who ‘‘complain about everything’’ exaggerate as well their own health. frequently labelled negative affectivity discussion see Cooper 2000; Judge Payne Spector 2000). In end there also complain nothing underreporting problems—denial. These two groups together could cause severe interpretation difficulties. They inflated relationships representative populations include participants denial. high proportion denying spuriously small be found (underestimation risk). opposite case if (overestimation should pointed out denial exaggeration due external pressures—for sites where employees want get rid superior or forced conceal bad fear punishment complain. next fact illness secondary changes environment—a long lasting subject change jobs for perceive increased demands environment. Illnesses, which lasted time, problematic from point view. impossible knowwhether causes illness. A similar duration exposure make difference. If study upon one it know whether represents something has going on many years only couple days. chronic development crucial. After short no sufficient basis development. Both these represent dimension assessment.