The meaning and measurement of work fatigue: Development and evaluation of the Three-Dimensional Work Fatigue Inventory (3D-WFI)

J Occup Health Psychol. 2015 Jul;20(3):273-288. doi: 10.1037/a0038700. Epub 2015 Jan 19.

Abstract

Although work fatigue represents an important construct in several substantive areas, prior conceptual definitions and measures have been inadequate in a number of ways. The goals of the present study were to develop a conceptual definition and outline the desirable characteristics of a work fatigue measure, briefly examine several prior measures of work fatigue-related constructs, and develop and evaluate a new measure of work fatigue. The Three-Dimensional Work Fatigue Inventory (3D-WFI) provides separate and commensurate assessments of physical, mental, and emotional work fatigue. Results from a pilot study (n = 207) and a broader evaluative study of U.S. wage and salary workers (n = 2,477) suggest that the 3D-WFI is psychometrically sound and evinces a meaningful pattern of relations with variables that comprise the nomological network of work fatigue. As with all new measures, additional research is required to evaluate fully the utility of the 3D-WFI in research on work fatigue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Burnout, Professional / diagnosis
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Fatigue / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Occupational Diseases / psychology*
  • Personality
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychometrics
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
  • United States
  • Work / psychology*
  • Young Adult