Factorial analysis of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Work Ability Index, reproducibility and validity of the single item and the short version for online application

Renata Lumena Altruda Pucci; Anderson Martins da Silva; Rosimeire Simprini Padula

doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.101060

Factorial analysis of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Work Ability Index, reproducibility and validity of the single item and the short version for online application

Braz J Phys Ther. 2024 Mar 29;28(2):101060. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.101060. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Renata Lumena Altruda Pucci¹, Anderson Martins da Silva¹, Rosimeire Simprini Padula²

Affiliations

¹ Master and Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
² Master and Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: rosipadula@gmail.com.

Abstract

Background: The Work Ability Index (WAI) assesses work demands, health status, and physical and mental resources.

Objectives: To evaluate the measurement properties of the WAI, single-item work ability score (WAS), and short version for online applications.

Methods: One hundred three workers completed the 3 versions of the WAI and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire. The reproducibility and construct validity of the 3 versions of the WAI and their concurrent validity with the PSS-10 were tested. Statistical tests were performed with IBM® SPSS 28.0.

Results: The test-retest reliability of the WAI, WAS, and WAI short version ranged from good to excellent. The WAI and WAI short version showed excellent internal consistency. The construct validity of the WAS was moderate and positive and it was excellent and positive for the WAI short version. Concurrent validity of the WAI, WAS, and WAI short version was moderate and negative, and item mental resources were strong and negative. Factor analysis reached an acceptable level for all indexes (≥ 0.90). The analysis with two factors reached an acceptable level for all indexes (≥ 0.90) and was the best model.

Conclusion: The reliability and construct and concurrent validity of the various versions of the WAI were strong to excellent in online applications. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a new grouping of items for the WAI Brazilian version. However, it is necessary to be careful in the choice due to the distribution model of items in health domains and aspects of work.

Keywords: Factor analysis; Programs; Research instruments; Work ability.