https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7430-3157
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ABSTRACT
Background
University students experience a distinct working environment in the context of completing their studies. In line with existing research into the connection between workplace environment and stress, it is rational to believe that such study environments can affect the level of stress that students experience. However, few instruments have been developed for measuring this.
Objective
The aim of this study was to validate a modified instrument based on the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) model among students at a large university in southern Sweden to determine its utility for assessing the psychosocial properties of the study environment.
Methods
Data from a survey performed at a Swedish university in 2019, which generated 8960 valid cases, was used. Of these cases, 5410 studied a course or programme at bachelor level, 3170 a course or programme at master level, and 366 a combination of courses and programmes on the two levels (14 missing). A 22-item DCS-instrument for students was used comprising four scales: Psychological workload (demand) with nine items, Decision latitude (control) with eight items, supervisor/lecturer support with four items, and colleague/student support with three items. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha.
Results
The results of the exploratory factor analysis of the Demand-Control components support a 3-dimension solution with dimensions corresponding to psychological demands, skill discretion, and decision authority in the original DCS model. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were acceptable for Control (0.60) and Student Support (0.72) and very good for the Demand and Supervisor Support scales (0.81 and 0.84, respectively).
Conclusions
The results suggest that the validated 22-item DCS-instrument is a reliable and valid tool for assessing Demand, Control, and Support elements of the psychosocial study environment among student populations. Further research is necessary to examine the predictive validity of this modified instrument.
Responsible Editor
Stig Wall
Responsible Editor
Stig Wall
Author contributions
JP, AA, and P-OÖ conceptualised the study and data collection instrument. JP and AA performed data collection. JP and PO-Ö conducted preliminary analyses. All authors participated in writing the manuscript and approved this final form.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethics and consent
Ethical approval was received from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (number 2018/350). Consent was provided by study participants through completion of the survey instrument.
Paper context
Universities are frequently treated as workplaces for students although they also represent a unique context. Existing research shows the importance of occupational stress on a range of physical and psychological outcomes. No valid instrument exists to measure this phenomenon among university students. This article validates a modified Demand-Control-Support instrument for student populations examining internal consistency and construct validity. The instrument produced can be used to examine psychological study environment for university students in different contexts.