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The role enactment questionnaire : reliability and validity testing

University of British Columbia

In dual-earner research, there i s a dearth of psychometrically sound instruments that measure role quality. The author examined the reliability and validity of a new instrument, the Role Enactment Questionnaire (REQ). The REQ measures two role stressors: role intensity and role disparity, in the paid-work, spouse, parent, and individual roles. Reliability was assessed by calculating the REQ1s internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and hypothesis testing. The REQ was administered to 165 dual-earner parents with children six years or younger. The sample was very homogeneous with respect to age, education, and income levels. With the exception of two subscales that captured the intensity dimension in the paid-work and individual roles, Cronbach's alphas were high. Test-retest calculations indicated that the REQ was stable. Ten hypotheses were developed from demographic predictors of role intensity and role disparity. Seven of the hypotheses were confirmed by statistically significant results. CFA was somewhat supportive of construct validity but also demonstrated some lack of consistency in capturing the construct being measured by the instrument. Hypothesis testing identified the continuing influence of gender role norms on the dual-earner lifestyle, in this sample. A traditional division of labour dominated the allocation of domestic duties and work-role involvement. Nurses who work with dual-earner parents can use demographic predictors to identify individuals vulnerable to role stress as measured by role intensity and role disparity. Similarly, administrators and nurse educators can use these predictors to address issues affecting personnel and students, respectively. Although the study recommends some refinement of the REQ based on reliability and validity results, the instrument shows promise for use in the field of dual-earner research.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-01-24

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/3873

Nursing

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace