Coworker relationships : using a new measure to predict health related outcomes

Abstract

The current research investigates further the psychometric properties of the Coworker Relationship Scale (Hain & Francis, 2004) and evaluates a structural model relating coworker relationships to job satisfaction, emotional health, psychosomatic symptoms, and work neglect. Data from an employed convenience sample (N = 218) were analyzed via structural equations modeling. The one-factor structure for the 11-item coworker relationship scale, extracted in a previous study using exploratory analysis, was re-examined using a confirmatory factor analysis. The fit for a one-factor model using confirmatory factor analysis was acceptable but not outstanding. An examination of the factor loadings and content of the scale items suggested that a shorter measure would offer both a better fit and be of greater practical use. As such the number of items in the coworker relationship scale was reduced to five. A confirmatory factor analysis on the five items resulted in a good fitting, one factor model. Observed variable path analysis was used to test a hypothesized model in which job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between coworker relationships and emotional health and emotional health in turn predicted psychosomatic symptoms and work neglect. This partially mediated model was not supported. A revised model in which job satisfaction fully mediated the path between coworker relationships and emotional health and also allowed a direct path from job satisfaction to work neglect provided the best fit to the data. Recommendations for future research, organizational implications, and limitations of this study are discussed.