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Assessing work-related criticalities: psychometric properties of a questionnaire developed in an Italian occupational
Stefano Livellara1, Anna Comotti1, Elisa Carena2
1Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Objective:
Work-related stress and workplace adversity are increasingly recognized as major occupational health risks, particularly within complex organizational contexts. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument, the Work-Related Criticalities Questionnaire (WRCQ), designed to assess a broad range of work-related criticalities beyond traditional workplace bullying, within the Italian occupational setting.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 317 workers evaluated between 2021 and 2025 at an Italian Center for Occupational Stress. Participants completed the 39-item WRCQ together with measures of workplace bullying (NAQ-R), psychological distress (SCL-90-R), and anger expression (STAXI). Internal consistency, convergent and construct validity were examined. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to test the multidimensional five-factors structure of the questionnaire, comprising interpersonal conflict, interpersonal hostility, organizational dysfunctions, organizational constraints, and professional devaluation.
Results:
The WRCQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91), with acceptable to good reliability across subscales. Convergent validity was observed with the NAQ-R (r = 0.75, p < 0.001). Higher WRCQ scores were significantly associated with psychological distress, particularly depression, anxiety, somatization, and paranoid ideation. CFA supported the multidimensional structure with five interrelated domains.
Conclusion:
The WRCQ is a reliable and valid multidimensional instrument for assessing work-related criticalities in occupational health settings, offering a useful assessment tool for identifying workplace adversities that emerge as predominant.
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