Psychometric properties assessment of the Meister questionnaire (Polish version) used in evaluating mental load among nurses

• Main Authors: Grażyna Dębska, Ewa Wilczek-Rużyczka, Zofia Foryś, Małgorzata Pasek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 2013-06-01
• Series: Medycyna Pracy
• Subjects: assessment of psychometric properties; Meister Questionnaire; Mental load; nurse
• Online Access: http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Ocena-wlasnosci-psychometrycznych-polskiej-adaptacji-kwestionariusza-Meistera-do-oceny-obciazenia-psychicznego-w-pracy-pielegniarki,451,0,2.html

Background: The objective of this study was to assess psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Meister questionnaire for subjective assessment of work-related mental load among nurses. Material and Methods: A group of 211 nurses (mean age, 43.1±7.26) participated in our study. In the process of adaptation stability (test-retest) reliability and factorial validity were assessed. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used as a tool for assessing construct validity). Results: Factor analysis of the questionnaire confirmed a very good fit between input data and factor model (Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin measure of 0.83). Selected variables, including overload, monotony, and non-specific load, explained 57%, 41%, and 66% of the variance, respectively. The analysis proved high validity of the tool, Cronbach alpha was 0.83 for the total score. The correlation factor for questions and scores in subscales was high. Repeated measurements resulted in similar outcomes, which proved the stability of this measure. The analysis of construct validity showed that overload, monotony, and non-specific load presented positive correlation with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Correlation between variables was moderate (rHO = 0.39–0.58; p < 0.001). The total score indicated the following correlations: strong positive with emotional exhaustion (rHO = 0.6, p < 0.001), negative with personal achievements, and positive and moderate with depersonalisation (rHO = –0.14; p < 0.05, rHO = 0.48; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Polish version of the Meister questionnaire meets all psychometric criteria and may be used for evaluating mental load among nurses. Med Pr 2013;64(3):349–358