Scale-Description

The WSS-8 consists of 8 questions designed to measure various aspects of workplace stress. Each question evaluates specific factors contributing to work-related stress, such as:
Workload: Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks.
Lack of Control: Feeling a lack of control over work processes and decisions.
Support from Supervisors: The level of support employees receive from their supervisors.
Relationships with Colleagues: The quality of interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
Work-Life Balance: Ability to maintain a balance between work and personal obligations.
Job Uncertainty: Feeling uncertainty about job security.
Lack of Recognition: Feeling that effort and performance are not adequately recognized.
Limited Opportunities for Growth: Feeling limited in opportunities for professional development.
Participants rate each statement using a Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree), allowing for a quantitative analysis of stress levels in each area.

Data Analysis and Usage

The data collected from the WSS-8 is used to assess the overall level of workplace stress and to analyze the specific aspects that contribute to it. The main analysis techniques include:
Reliability Analysis: Calculation of Cronbach’s alpha to measure the internal consistency of the scale’s questions.
Factor Analysis: Investigation of the underlying factors that influence workplace stress and confirmation of the scale’s structure.
Statistical Analysis: Using statistical methods such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) or multiple regression to study the relationships between workplace stress and other variables, such as productivity, job satisfaction, and mental health.
The results can be used to develop strategies for reducing workplace stress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and promote a healthy work environment.

Purpose

The main goal of the WSS-8 is to provide a quick and effective method for assessing the level of workplace stress among employees. Specifically, the scale aims to:
Identify Key Stress Factors: Understand the main sources of stress in the workplace.
Monitor Changes: Evaluate the impact of changes in the work environment or company policies on employee stress levels.
Develop Interventions: Serve as a basis for developing targeted strategies to reduce stress and improve workplace well-being.
Support Decision-Making: Provide information to managers and leadership for informed decision-making regarding human resource management.

Calibration

The calibration of the WSS-8 involves the following stages:
Reliability Analysis: Calculation of Cronbach’s alpha to determine the internal consistency of the scale. A reliable tool should have a high Cronbach’s alpha (usually >0.70).
Factor Analysis: Exploration of the scale’s structure through factor analysis to confirm the underlying factors being measured.
Cross-Validation: Testing the scale on different sample populations to ensure its generalizability and reliability across various groups of employees.
Validity Testing: Confirmation that the scale accurately measures workplace stress and not other related concepts, through comparative analyses with other valid stress scales.

Bibliography

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.
Cox, T., Griffiths, A., & Kuper, H. (2000). The management of occupational stress: A review of the literature. Journal of Management Studies, 37(4), 441-462.
Sonnentag, S. (2018). The recovery experience questionnaire: Development and validation of a measure for assessing recuperation and unwinding from work. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 9(3), 204-221.
Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Verbeke, W. (2004). Using the job demands-resources model to predict burnout and performance. Human Resource Management, 43(1), 83-104.
Karasek, R. A., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy Work: Stress, Productivity, and the Reconstruction of Working Life. Basic Books.