title: Factorial validity of the effort-reward imbalance scale: evidence from multi-sample and three-wave follow-up studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated whether the factor structure of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) scale (Siegrist et al. Soc Sci Med 58:1483-1499, 2004) remains same across two white-collar samples (i.e., factorial group invariance) and across three measurement times (i.e., factorial time invariance).
  
  
  METHODS
  The factorial group invariance was tested using two different samples including 1,301 managers and 758 young white-collar professionals. The factorial time invariance was tested in the latter sample with a four-year three-wave follow-up design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The confirmatory factor analysis performed supported the theoretically based structure of the ERI scale, that is, the scale included two first-order factors of effort and overcommitment and one second-order factor of reward with first-order factors of esteem, career opportunities, and job security. The factorial group invariance of this structure was also supported. In addition, the factor loadings of all factors remained same across three measurements; thus, lending support for the factorial time invariance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ERI scale was found to be a valid tool to measure costs and gains of social exchanges at work as well as individual orientation toward work in these two occupational samples including a longitudinal study design.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland. k.johanna.rantanen@jyu.fi
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Rantanen
authors: Taru
authors: T
authors: Feldt
authors: Katriina
authors: K
authors: Hyvönen
authors: Ulla
authors: U
authors: Kinnunen
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Mäkikangas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016272:Occupational Health; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012201:Reward; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*