ABSTRACT
This study aims to assess the accuracy of temporary employment as indicator or proxy measure of precarious employment. Using sensitivity and specificity analysis, we compared type of contract (temporary versus permanent) with the Chilean version of the multidimensional Employment Precariousness Scale. Temporary employment exhibited very low sensitivity (<30%) (specificity >90%), resulting in roughly 38% of false negative results. Different EPRES-Ch cut-off scores produced similar results. The main implication of these findings is that the public health relevance of precarious employment is being underestimated both in terms of prevalence and of its association with health, making it critical that valid multidimensional measures of precarious employment be implemented.
Subject(s)
Employment , Occupational Exposure , Chile , Humans , Public Health , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to perform a psychometric analysis (acceptability, reliability and factor structure) of the Chilean version of the new Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES). The data is drawn from a sample of 4,248 private salaried workers with a formal contract from the first Chilean Employment Conditions, Work, Health and Quality of Life (ENETS) survey, applied to a nationally representative sample of the Chilean workforce in 2010. Item and scale-level statistics were performed to assess scaling properties, acceptability and reliability. The six-dimensional factor structure was examined with confirmatory factor analysis. The scale exhibited high acceptability (roughly 80%) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.83) and the factor structure was confirmed. One subscale (rights) demonstrated poorer metric properties without compromising the overall scale. The Chilean version of the Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES-Ch) demonstrated good metric properties, pointing to its suitability for use in epidemiologic and public health research.
Subject(s)
Employment/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Chile , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Private Sector , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to perform a psychometric analysis (acceptability, reliability and factor structure) of the Chilean version of the new Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES). The data is drawn from a sample of 4,248 private salaried workers with a formal contract from the first Chilean Employment Conditions, Work, Health and Quality of Life (ENETS) survey, applied to a nationally representative sample of the Chilean workforce in 2010. Item and scale-level statistics were performed to assess scaling properties, acceptability and reliability. The six-dimensional factor structure was examined with confirmatory factor analysis. The scale exhibited high acceptability (roughly 80%) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.83) and the factor structure was confirmed. One subscale (rights) demonstrated poorer metric properties without compromising the overall scale. The Chilean version of the Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES-Ch) demonstrated good metric properties, pointing to its suitability for use in epidemiologic and public health research.
Resumen: El estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar el análisis psicométrico (aceptabilidad, confiabilidad y estructura factorial) de la versión chilena de la nueva Escala de Precariedad Laboral (EPRES). Los datos proporcionan una muestra de 4.248 trabajadores asalariados formales del sector privado, de la primera Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Empleo, Trabajo y Salud (ENETS) de Chile, aplicado a una muestra representativa de la fuerza de trabajo chilena en 2010. Se calcularon las estadísticas en el nivel de ítem y escala para evaluar la distribución de las respuestas, aceptabilidad y confiabilidad. La estructura factorial con seis dimensiones se examinó con un análisis factorial confirmatorio. La escala mostró una alta aceptabilidad (aproximadamente 80%) y confiabilidad (alfa de Cronbach de 0,83), y la estructura factorial fue confirmada. Una sub-escala (derechos) demostró un peor desempeño, sin comprometer la escala general. La versión chilena de la Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES-Ch) mostró buenas propiedades métricas, sugeriendo su idoneidad al uso en epidemiología y salud pública.
Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo realizar a análise psicométrica (aceitabilidade, confiabilidade e estrutura fatorial) da versão chilena da nova Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES). Os dados proveem de uma amostra de 4.248 trabalhadores assalariados formais do setor privado, do primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Condições de Emprego, Trabalho e Saúde (ENETS) do Chile, aplicado a uma amostra representativa da força de trabalho chilena em 2010. Foram calculadas as estatísticas em nível de item e escala para avaliar as propriedades de escalabilidade, aceitabilidade e confiabilidade. A estrutura fatorial com seis dimensões foi examinada com análise fatorial confirmatória. A escala mostrou alta aceitabilidade (aproximadamente 80%) e confiabilidade (alfa de Cronbach de 0,83), e a estrutura fatorial foi confirmada. Uma sub-escala (direitos) demonstrou propriedades métricas piores, sem comprometer a escala geral. A versão chilena da Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES-Ch) mostrou boas propriedades métricas, destacando sua adequação para uso em epidemiologia e saúde pública.
