title: Preliminary evaluation of the generalized work distress scale in patients with work-related upper extremity disorders.
abstract: This study evaluated the reliability and construct validity of the Generalized Work Distress Scale in 207 patients attending a specialty clinic with work-related upper extremity disorders. Factor analyses were conducted and compared to the original developmental study confirming a two-factor solution: an internal factor related to Work-Related Dysphoria and an external factor related to Work-Related Support. Reliability (internal consistency) of factors was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87 and 0.89). The Work-Related Dysphoria factor was more related to self-reported global depressed mood and self-reported upper extremity functional disability, than was Work-Related Support. This study provided preliminary support for the use of this scale in patients with work-related upper extremity disorders and consideration to depressive symptoms in these patients. Further investigation of the psychometric properties of this scale and its predictive validity are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Warren R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Nielson
authors.forename: Joy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: MacDermid
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017678:Sex Distribution; D034941:Upper Extremity