Bahr, Mark

Fujiwara, Daisure

Hicks, Richard E.

English

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Bond UniversityResearch RepositoryConfirmatory factor analysis of the occupational stress inventory-revised among AustralianteachersHicks, Richard E.; Fujiwara, Daisure; Bahr, MarkPublished: 01/01/2006Document Version:Peer reviewed versionLink to publication in Bond University research repository.Recommended citation(APA):Hicks, R. E., Fujiwara, D., & Bahr, M. (2006). Confirmatory factor analysis of the occupational stress inventory-revised among Australian teachers. Paper presented at Australian Consortium for Social and Political ResearchIncorporated (ACSPRI) Social Science Methodology Conference, Sydney, Australia.General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright ownersand it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.For more information, or if you believe that this document breaches copyright, please contact the Bond University research repositorycoordinator.Download date: 10 May 2019Bond UniversityePublications@bondHumanities & Social Sciences papers Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences12-11-2006Confirmatory factor analysis of the OccupationalStress Inventory-Revised among AustralianteachersRichard HicksBond University, Richard_Hicks@bond.edu.auDaisure FujiwaraBond University, Daisure_Fujiwara@bond.edu.auMark BahrBond University, Mark_Bahr@bond.edu.auFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.bond.edu.au/hss_pubsPart of the Psychology CommonsThis Conference Paper is brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at ePublications@bond. It has been accepted for inclusion inHumanities & Social Sciences papers by an authorized administrator of ePublications@bond. For more information, please contact Bond University'sRepository Coordinator.Recommended CitationRichard Hicks, Daisure Fujiwara, and Mark Bahr. (2006) "Confirmatory factor analysis of theOccupational Stress Inventory-Revised among Australian teachers".Dec. 2006.http://epublications.bond.edu.au/hss_pubs/111Paper accepted for presentation at the ACSPRI Social Science Methodology Conference 2006:  Venue: The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia 10-13 December 2006. ….Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research, Inc. (ACSPRI)Paper is under review for publication in the 2006 ACSPRI Refereed Proceedings.   Confirmatory factor analysis of the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised among Australian teachers  Hicks, R.E., Fujiwara, D., & Bahr, M.  Bond University  Abstract Assessing teacher stress has been a difficult and complex process, especially when comparisons across different professions have been considered. The Occupational Stress Inventory- Revised (OSI-R) offers a means of making such comparisons. The OSI-R model is theory-based and assesses the effects on the individual of three areas: occupational roles, psychological strain and coping resources. This current study reports the findings of confirmatory factor analyses of the three-factor stress model of the OSI-R, using a sample of 141 Australian teachers. It also reports the findings for a four-factor solution – with results demonstrating the four-factor model better fits the responses in the teacher sample but with more error than desirable. Further research is ongoing.   Confirmatory factor analysis of the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised among Australian teachers  Teacher stress seems to be a universal phenomenon in Western countries, a phenomenon that has been recognised for over  more than 25 years and across many studies (e.g., Borg & Riding, 1991; Brown, et al., 2002; Farber, 1991; Jacobsson et al., 2001; Kyriacou, 1998, 2002;  Kyriacou & Sutcliffe, 1979; Laughlin, 1984; Mearns & Cain, 2003; Naylor, 2001; Rudow, 1999). Australia is no exception (ee.g., Fujiwara & Hicks, 2005; Manthei & Gilmore, 1996; Pithers & Fogarty, 1995; Pithers & Soden, 1998).  However, no standard models exist on how to measure teacher stress. Those models or questionnaires that do exist have often not been well-validated, nor are they able to be used comparatively with other professions.   The current study reports on a model of stress that has the potential to provide a standardised questionnaire- the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised (OSI-R), that can be used across professional groups (enabling comparisons) and which appears to incorporate or integrate previous teacher-stress models.  The aim of the study was to provide initial validation among secondary school teachers of the model, using confirmatory factor analysis.   The Occupational Stress Inventory- Revised (Osipow, 1998) is a psychometrically validated stress questionnaire built on a broad theoretical base and with normative data (enabling comparisons with other professional groups).    The OSI-R assesses three inter-related overall dimensions each important in the experiencing of occupational adjustment-- occupational role stress, psychological strain and coping resources. These dimensions and the sub-scales in each are shown in Figure 1.    Scale  What Each Scale Measures Occupational Roles Questionnaire (ORQ) Role Overload Job demands, resources, and ability to complete tasks            *** Role Insufficiency Fit between skills and job, needs for recognition, boredom Role Ambiguity Awareness of one’s work expectations       Role Boundary Level of conflict in loyalties and priorities in workplace           Role Responsibility Feeling of responsibility of welfare and performance of others  Physical Environment Exposure to stressful work environment (e.g., heat, noise) Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ) Vocational Strain Attitudes towards work, problems in work quantity/quality Psychological Strain Whether employees are experiencing psychological problems Interpersonal Strain Degree of disruptions in interpersonal relationships Physical Strain Symptoms of physical illness and worries about their health Personal Resources Questionnaire (PRQ) Recreation Level of recreational and leisure activities engaged Self-Care Participation in stress-reducing habits (e.g., adequate sleep) Social Support Feeling of having support and help from others Rational/Cognitive Coping Knowledge and use of cognitive techniques to deal with stress FIGURE 1:  Scale Descriptions of the OSI-R  The OSI-R theoretical model of stress (the OSI model) hypothesises that stressors originating in the work environment influence how individuals perceive their work roles; that when work stressors interact with stress-inducing work roles, personal or psychological strain results; and finally that the variety, strength and level of coping resources an individual possesses influences both the presence and level of strain.  This model appears to integrate in one questionnaire the variety of earlier approaches that were not complete in any one set of studies but emphasised (a) the sources of stress or the impact of the environment on stress (e.g.,  Borg & Riding, 1991; Brown et al., 2002; Cooper, 1998; Kyriacou & Sutcliffe, 1978; Mearns & Cain, 2003) and (b) in only a few studies, the interaction between environmental sources and the cognitive appraisal process or, more succinctly, the causes of stress (why the individuals responded with stressed reactions (c.f., Moracco & McFadden, 1982).  Reactions to stressful situations have been extensively studied (supporting the comment earlier that teacher stress is a universal phenomenon and problem) (e.g., Dunham, 1980, 1984; Kinman, 2001; Naylor, 2001).   However, while citing the likely advantages of a questionnaire that will integrate earlier theories or models of teacher stress and that will enable comparisons across a variety of professions, it is necessary to examine the model itself and confirm whether or not the model “holds up” under analysis or can be improved.  This rationale was behind the current confirmatory study of the three-factor model underlying the OSI-R, and the subsequent proposed four-factor model.   METHOD  The survey sample response consisted of 141 secondary public school teachers from rural and suburban areas of south-east Queensland (a response rate of 57 percent, compared with the 240 questionnaires sent to teachers who had expressed interest). Teachers received a stamped, addressed envelope containing the OSI-R and a “demographic” questionnaire which also included questions similar to those used consistently in earlier studies examining teacher stress. This latter questionnaire is not examined in the current report but yielded results similar to previous studies (Fujiwara & Hicks, 2005).   An exploratory factor analysis was conducted and indicated the likelihood that a four-factor rather than a three-factor model might more clearly define the underlying structure of the OSI-R. It was decided to examine which of two models, a three-factor model or the four-factor model, best explained the underlying concepts or latent structure of the questionnaire.   As shown in Figure 1, there are fourteen scales. These scales are summed to obtain overall results in each of the three main dimensions of the OSI-R. This “three-factor” model was examined first, using the 141 sets of full responses from the teachers.  Next, based on the earlier exploratory factor analysis, a four-factor model was examined.  The results are presented next. It should be noted that all of the 14 scales have demonstrated high levels of reliability (alpha coefficients between 0.70 and 0.89, as reported in the Professional Manual for the OSI-R; Osipow, 1998, p.26).    RESULTS  Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the three and four factor models were conducted using LISREL 8.0. Neither the three or four factor solutions exhibited adequate fit. However, a difference chi-square indicated significantly better fit for the four factor solution than the three factor solution (2(1) = 83.37, p <.001).   The model chi-square for the three factor solution (Figure 2) revealed significant variation between the data and model (2(76) = 257.60, p <.001) indicating poor overall fit. Poor fit was also indicated by the fit functions (NFI =.64, NNFI = .72, Tucker-Lewis = .59, NCI = .70). The RMSEA also indicated substantial unexplained variance in the three factor solution (RMSEA = .132).  Figure 2- The Three Factor solution  The four factor solution (Figure 3 below) also shows inadequate fit although it appears somewhat better in terms of both the model chi-square (2(76) = 257.60, p <.001) and the fit functions (NFI =.76, NNFI = .82, Tucker-Lewis = .67, NCI = .81) than the three factor solution reported above. The RMSEA also indicated higher than desirable levels of unexplained variance in the four factor solution (RMSEA = .132).  Figure 3: The Four Factor solution  DISCUSSION  The total n available in the current study is marginal for CFA analyses (that is to say that the ratio of variable to cases of  14 to 141 or 1:10, is somewhat unfavourable and as such the analysis may be unstable- although more likely it simply lacks sufficient power). This may contribute to the overall lack of fit in both instances and further studies are under way to increase the sample size of secondary teachers. (In addition wider professional groups are completing the OSI-R; further CFAs for mixed and comparative samples may be reported in due course).   The main implication of the finding that a four-factor model is more likely to reflect the latent structure of the OSI-R than the three-factor model (subject to further research) is that the OSI-R might better be described in these terms.   It should be noted that the results CONFIRM that two of the three major current factors are stable and valuable factors of use directly in describing teacher stress and research arising from teacher stress (that is, the Personal Strain scale of four sub-scales, and the Personal Resources scale of four sub-scales).  However, the current third composite factor, the Occupational Roles scale may be better described as two separate scales.  The two factor-scales may be tentatively described as “Role Clarity” (comprising Role Insufficiency, Role Ambiguity and Role Boundary), and “Role  Workload” (comprising Role Overload and Role Responsibility), though further research is needed into the concomitants of these two factors before final commitments to relevant titles/factor names can be made.   One sub-scale has been left “hanging” – (the Physical Environment scale, as a contributing factor to teacher stress).  Its importance as an independent scale will need to be assessed elsewhere, also from further research. It is likely that delineation of such factors will, however, contribute to clearer understanding of the teacher stress environment and enable better measurement of this complex area in due course.  In the meantime professional clinicians and researchers should concentrate their attention on using the 14 scales independently, and, where a composite or overall score is required, should give most attention to the two confirmed composite dimensions of Personal Strain, and Personal Resources. The individual scales will give clearest indication of the levels of occupational role stress faced by secondary teachers. In the meantime it is hoped that further ongoing research using larger numbers and different occupational groupings will in due course clarify the latent structure of the OSI-R.    REFERENCES  Borg, M. G., & Riding, R. J. (1991). Occupational stress and satisfaction in teaching. British Educational Research Journal, 17, 263-282. Boyle, G. J., Borg, M. G., Falzon, J. M., & Baglioni, A. J. (1995). A structural model of the dimensions of teacher stress. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 65, 49-67. Brown, M., Ralph, S., & Brember, I. (2002). Change-linked work-related stress in British teachers. Research in Education, 67, 1-12.  Cooper, C. L. (1998). Theories of organisational stress. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Dunham, J. (1980). An exploratory comparative study of staff stress in English and German comprehensive schools. Educational Review, 32, 11-20. Dunham, J. (1984). Stress in teaching. London: Croom Helm. Farber, B. A. (1991). Crisis in education: Stress and burnout in the American teacher. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Jacobsson, C., Pousette, A., & Thylefors, I. (2001). Managing stress and feelings of mastery among Swedish comprehensive school teachers. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 45, 37-54. Kinman, G. (2001). Pressure points: A review of research on stressors and strains in UK academics. Educational Psychology, 21, 473-492. Kyriacou, C. (1998). Teacher stress: Past and present. In Dunham, J., & Varma, V. (Eds.), Stress in teachers: Past, present and future (pp.1-13). London: Whurr. Kyriacou, C. (2001). Teacher stress: Directions for future research. Educational Review, 52, 27-35. Kyriacou, C., & Sutcliffe, J. (1978). Teacher stress: Prevalence, sources, and symptoms. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 48, 159-167. Laughlin, A. (1984). Teacher stress in an Australian setting: The role of biographical mediators. Educational Studies, 10, 7-22. Manthei, R., & Gilmore, A. (1996). Is stress among New Zealand teachers increasing?. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 29, 73-87. Mearns, J., & Cain, J. E. (2003). Relationships between teachers’ occupational stress and their burnout and distress: Roles of coping and negative mood regulation expectancies. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 16, 71-82. Moracco, J. C., & McFadden, H. (1982). The counsellor’s role in reducing teacher stress. Personal and Guidance Journal, 60, 549-552. Naylor, C. (2001). Teacher workload and stress: An international perspective on human costs and systematic failure. Retrieved from British Columbia Teachers’ Federation website, November 11, 2003, from http://www.bctf.ca/education/worklifeOsipow, S.H. (1998). Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised Edition (OSI-R): Professional Manual. USA- Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.  Pithers, R. T., & Fogarty, G. J. (1995). Symposium on teacher stress: Occupational stress among vocational teachers. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 65, 3-14. Pithers, R. T., & Soden, R. (1998). Scottish and Australian teacher stress and strain: A comparative study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 68, 269-279. Rudow, B. (1999). Stress and burnout in the teaching profession: European studies issues, and research perspectives. In Vandenberhe, R., & Huberman, A. M. (Eds.), Understanding and preventing teacher burnout: A sourcebook of international research and practice (pp. 38-58). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 

Confirmatory factor analysis of the occupational stress inventory-revised among Australian teachers

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Confirmatory factor analysis of the occupational stress inventory-revised among Australian teachers

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