Validation of the Generalized Workplace Harassment Questionnaire for Use with Medical Students

Date
2023-09-23
Authors
Henning, Marcus A
Krägeloh, Christian U
Chen, Yan
Moir, Fiona
Webster, Craig S
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI AG
Abstract

The Generalized Workplace Harassment Questionnaire (GWHQ) has not been validated among medical students whilst they are on clinical placements. Therefore, this study aims to validate its use when applied to this cohort. A sample of 205 medical students in their clinical training phase completed the GWHQ. To examine the validity of the proposed factor structure of the validated 25-item GWHQ, which was reduced to from the original 29-item set, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Model fit was appraised by evaluating the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and the standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR). Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients were applied to correlations between factors. With the exclusion of Item 19, the resulting fit was improved. In the revised model for a 24-item GWHQ, CFI = 0.995, RMSEA = 0.047, and SRMR = 0.115. Overall, the fit met the criteria for two fit indices and was thus deemed to be acceptable. Factor loadings ranged from 0.49 to 0.96. The Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient between Verbal and Covert Hostility was high, although all correlations with Physical Hostility were weak. In conclusion, the amended 24-item version of the GWHQ is a valid instrument for appraising instances of harassment or hostility within clinical placements attended by medical students in New Zealand.

Description
Keywords
32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences , 3202 Clinical Sciences , Clinical Research , 1701 Psychology , 1702 Cognitive Sciences , 3202 Clinical sciences , 5202 Biological psychology , 5203 Clinical and health psychology
Source
Behavioral Sciences, ISSN: 2076-328X (Print); 2076-328X (Online), MDPI AG, 13(10), 791-791. doi: 10.3390/bs13100791
Rights statement