Dimensionality of the Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire: a validation study in Belgium

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Cross-Cultural Psychology

Background:

• The Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) is widely used in the US.
• Its generalizability across different cultures and organizational types is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-cultural validity of the PSQ's 4-factor structure.
• To determine if pay satisfaction dimensions differ across countries and industries.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from four distinct samples.
• Samples included for-profit employees, nonprofit nurses, cultural center employees, and nonprofit teachers.

Main Results:

• The robust 4-factor structure (Pay Level, Benefits, Raises, Structure/Administration) was supported in three of the four samples.
• In the teachers' sample, the Benefits factor was excluded, resulting in a 3-factor structure.

Conclusions:

• The PSQ's 4-factor structure demonstrates generalizability across diverse samples and cultures.
• Minor adaptations may be needed in specific contexts, such as excluding the Benefits factor for certain employee groups.