Measuring Work Engagement, Psychological Empowerment, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Among Health Care Aides. (16th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ginsburg, Liane; Berta, Whitney; Baumbusch, Jennifer; Rohit Dass, Adrian; Laporte, Audrey; Reid, R. Colin; Squires, Janet; Taylor, Deanne
• Is Part Of: Gerontologist. Volume 56:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: e1
• Page End: e11
• Publication Date: 2016-02-16
• Subjects: Health care aide/nursing aide -- Work attitudes -- Job satisfaction -- Measurement -- Confirmatory factor analysis; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- United States -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnv129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-9013

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose of the Study: Health care aides (HCAs) provide most direct care in long-term care (LTC) and home and community care (HCC) settings but are understudied. We validate three key work attitude measures to better understand HCAs' work experiences: work engagement (WEng), psychological empowerment (PE), and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB-O). Design and Methods: Data were collected from 306 HCAs working in LTC and HCC, using survey items for WEng, PE, and OCB-O adapted for HCAs. Psychometric evaluation involved confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Predictive validity (correlations with measures of job satisfaction and turnover intention) and internal consistency reliability were examined. Results: CFA supported a one-factor model of WEng, a four-factor model of PE, and a one-factor model of OCB-O. HCC workers scored higher than LTC workers on Self-determination (PE) and lower on Impact, demonstrating concurrent validity. WEng and PE correlated with worker outcomes (job satisfaction, turnover intention, and OCB-O), demonstrating predictive validity. Reliability and validity analyses indicated sound psychometric properties overall. Implications: Study results support psychometric properties of measures of WEng, PE, and OCB-O for HCAs. Knowledge of HCAs' work attitudes and behaviors can inform recruitment programs, incentive systems, and retention/training strategies for this vital group of care providers.