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Chinese Translation and Cross Cultural Adaptation of the Workstyle Short Form

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Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction Workstyle as it is related to symptoms of musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper limbs is the behavioural, cognitive and physical responses that occur in individuals to increases in work demands. A self report measure of this construct was developed that was both associated with and predictive of work related upper extremity symptoms. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate a Chinese version of the Workstyle Short Form (C-WSF). Methods The C-WSF was translated following a forward and backward translation approach. Content validity was examined by item- and scale-level content validity indices. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyze test–retest reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify factor structures and the internal consistency of these factors was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients. The construct validity of the C-WSF was first determined by convergence in relation to the Cumulative Symptoms Score for Upper Extremity symptoms and then by comparison of those with and without upper extremity pain in Chinese cooks, a work with a high level of exposures to varying levels of work demands coupled with exposure to workplace psychosocial and biomechanical stressors. Results The C-WSF demonstrated excellent item- and scale-level content validity index (>0.9). The factor structure of C-WSF was similar to its original English version. The internal consistency of different subscales of C-WSF ranged from 0.65 to 0.91. The ICC was between 0.79 and 0.93 indicating good test–retest reliability. C-WSF was significantly correlated with upper extremity symptoms (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). Conclusions C-WSF is a reliable and valid version of the Workstyle measures for use in Chinese population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Andy S. K. Cheng, Grace P. Y. Szeto & Yan Wen Xu

  2. Departments of Medical and Clinical Psychology and Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Michael Feuerstein

Authors
  1. Andy S. K. Cheng
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  2. Grace P. Y. Szeto
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  3. Yan Wen Xu
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  4. Michael Feuerstein
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andy S. K. Cheng.

Additional information

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as being official or as reflecting the views of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of Defense.

Appendix 1 Workstyle Short Form

Appendix 1 Workstyle Short Form

Please complete the following survey by checking the boxes that describe your experience at work.

Part 1:

Rate the degree to which each of the following items describes you at WORK by selecting the appropriate option

 

Almost never

Rarely

Sometimes

Frequently

Almost always

1. I continue to work with pain and discomfort so that the quality of my work won’t suffer.

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2. My hands and arms feel tired during the workday.

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3. I feel achy when I work at my workstation.

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4. Since there is really nothing that I can do about my pain in my hands/arms/shoulders/neck, I just have to work through the pain.

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5. There really isn’t much I can do to help myself in terms of eliminating or reducing my symptoms in my hands/arms/shoulders/neck.

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6. My fingers/wrists/hands/arms (any one or combination) make jerky, quick, sudden movements

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7. I can’t take off from work because other people at work will think less of me.

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8. I can’t take off from work because I’d be letting down or burdening my boss.

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9. I can’t take off from work because I’d be letting down or burdening my coworkers.

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10. I can’t take off from work because it will negatively affect my evaluations, promotions, and/or job security.

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11. If I take time off to take care of my health or to exercise, my coworkers/boss with think less of me.

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12. I don’t really know where I stand despite all the effort I put into my work.

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13. The boss doesn’t let you forget it if you don’t get your work finished.

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14. If I bring up problem(s) to my supervisor, like a coworker not pulling his/her weight, it won’t make any difference anyway, so I just go ahead and do the work myself.

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15. It is frustrating to work for those who don’t have the same sense of quality that I do.

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16. I have too many deadlines and will never be able to get all my work done.

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17. Even if I organize my work so that I can meet deadlines, things change and then I have to work even harder to get my work done on time.

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18. My schedule at work is very uncontrollable.

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19. I feel pressured when I’m working at my workstation.

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20. I push myself and have higher expectations than my supervisor and others that I have to deal with at work.

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21. My coworkers don’t pull their weight and I have to take up the slack.

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22. Others tell me I should slow down and not work so hard.

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23. I take time to pause or stretch during a typical day at work.

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24. I take breaks when I am involved in a project at my workstation.

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Part 2:

Check all the behaviors/emotions/symptoms that you experience only during periods of high work demands/work load.

25. Anger

[]

26. Out of control

[]

27. Have trouble concentrating/focusing on work

[]

28. Depleted/worn out

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29. Overwhelmed

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30. Short fuse/irritable

[]

31. Cold feet

[]

32. Cold hands

[]

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Cheng, A.S.K., Szeto, G.P.Y., Xu, Y.W. et al. Chinese Translation and Cross Cultural Adaptation of the Workstyle Short Form. J Occup Rehabil 24, 605–616 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-013-9493-2

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