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Job Anxiety Scale (JAS) A self-rating questionnaire for work-related anxieties.
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Method · December 2017
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Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)
A self-rating questionnaire for work-related
anxieties
© Beate Muschalla & Michael Linden
Research Group Psychosomatic Rehabilitation at the Charité University Medical Centre
and the Rehabilitation Center Seehof of the German Pension Insurance
Original publication:
Linden, M., Muschalla, B. & Olbrich, D. (2008). Die Job-Angst-Skala (JAS). Ein Fragebogen
zur Erfassung arbeitsplatzbezogener Ängste [Job Anxiety Scale (JAS). A questionnaire for
job-related anxieties]. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie, 52, 126-34.
Contact address:
Prof. Dr. Beate Muschalla
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Psychotherapy and Diagnostics
Humboldtstraße 33
39106 Braunschweig, Germany
Email: b.muschalla@tu-braunschweig.de
1
Table of contents
1. Summary
2. Theoretical background
3. Structure of the Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)
4. Questionnaire development and sample description
5. Criteria for test quality
6. Correlations with covariates
7. Factorial structure
8. Calculations of the intercorrelation of the 14 subscales
9. Discussion
10. Notes on using the Job Anxiety Scale
11. Literature
12. Appendix A: Tables and figures
13. Appendix B: Questionnaire on workplace problems including the Job Anxiety Scale
(self-assessment questionnaire)
14. Appendix C: Job Anxiety Scale: Overview of items, main dimensions and subscales
2
1. Summary
The “Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)” is a questionnaire for describing the different dimensions of
work-related anxiety (Linden, Muschalla & Olbrich, 2008). The scale consists of 70 items that
represent 14 subscales and can be summarised in five general dimensions: Stimulus-related
anxiety and avoidance behaviour; social anxiety and impairment cognitions; health and bodyrelated anxiety; cognitions of insufficiency; generalised work-related worrying.
The psychometric quality was examined with N = 190 patients at an orthopaedic and
psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic. The internal consistency of the JAS is .98. The test-retest
reliability of the full scale is .815. Factor analyses confirmed the theoretical subscales. The
average inter-item correlation of the full scale is .389. A significant correlation between the
JAS and trait anxiety (STAI-trait) was found, which can be seen as an indicator of the validity
of the JAS. Until now, the JAS and the short workplace phobia scale (WPS, 13 items from the
JAS focusing work-anxiety-symptoms and avoidance) have been widely used in several
clinical and non-clinical empirical studies. Literature and material can be found
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Work-anxiety-and-work-ability-impairment
This is a short manual to introduce the JAS and its development. It is intended to be a
helpful guide to the scale’s practical application.
To save space, most of the tables mentioned in the text can be found in appendix A.
3
2. Theoretical background
Work ability (problems) is a topic of primary importance in medical rehabilitation. Illnessspecific performance limitations as well as anxiety and feelings of insufficiency in connection
with the workplace are of great importance. “Work anxieties and phobias” are common, and
only up from the 2000 years they received attention in the scientific literature (Haines et al.,
2002; Linden et al., 2003; Linden & Muschalla, 2007). Previously, work-related anxieties
were at best implicitly addressed from the perspective of occupational science in models such
as “bullying”, “stress at work” or “burnout” (e.g. Leymann 1993; Zapf et. al., 1996; Selye,
1983; Greif et. al., 1991; Maslach & Jackson, 1981; Gusy, 1995; Kirchner, 1993; Rohmert,
1984). In occupational psychology research, emotional work demands, affective reactions to
certain working conditions, absenteeism, job satisfaction, as well as stress and strain concepts
were also discussed (Dormann et al., 2002; Wegge & Neuhaus, 2002; Szesny & Thau, 2004;
Treier, 2003). There have also been many studies on the fundamental relationship between the
workplace and psychopathology (Haslam et al., 2005; Buddeberg-Fischer et al., 2005; Helge,
2001; Hobson & Beach, 2000; Turnipseed, 1998; Kawakami et al., 1996; Brodsky, 1988).
However, only the conventional classification of anxiety disorders or depression is included.
Posttraumatic stress disorders were also considered in the context of the workplace
(MacDonald et. al., 2003; Laposa et. al., 2003; Price et. al., 2005). Moreover, there are reports
of anxiety in specific occupational groups (Fehm & Schmidt, 2006). However, there was no
treatment of or differentiation between individual forms of specific work-related anxieties
(Linden & Muschalla, 2007b). For example, there was no instrument to measure work-related
anxieties specifically. Because of this, the “Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)” was developed, which
will be described in the following.
4
3. Structure of the Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)
With the development of the “Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)”, the different forms of work-related
anxieties can be measured and differentiated. Work-related anxieties are not a homogeneous
phenomenon but can appear as different phenomena. The version of the JAS presented here
comprises five main dimensions, each of which can be subdivided into further subscales
(Table 1):
Table 1. Main dimensions und subscales of the Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)
Dimension
Subscales
Stimulus-related anxiety
and avoidance behaviour
Social anxiety
Health related anxieties
Cognitions of insufficiency
Job-related worries
-
anticipatory anxieties
-
phobic avoidance
-
conditioned or posttraumatic anxiety
-
global feelings of anxiety toward the workplace
-
fears of exploitation
-
interactional anxiety
-
ideas of persecution and mobbing
-
hypochondriac anxieties
-
experience of panic or other somatic symptoms
-
functional impairment
-
general feeling of insufficiency
-
fear of change
-
generalised worrying
-
worries about job security and the future
5
Work-related stimulus-dependent anxiety and avoidance behaviour includes anticipatory
anxiety with general tension at work, when thinking about the workplace or anticipating
events at work. It also includes phobic avoidance, which can affect workplace situations as
well as encounters with colleagues or superiors, whether at the workplace or in out-of-work
places. The workplace as such can also be avoided. It can lead to quickly escaping after work
or taking sick leave in anticipation of workplace problems. (Classically) conditioned anxiety
is event-related in its development, similar to PTSD.
Two global items capture a general anxiety regarding the stimulus “workplace”.
Work-related social anxiety refers to anticipating and avoiding social situations with
colleagues or supervisors. Impairment cognitions include anxiety of being exploited or
threatened by colleagues or supervisors.
Work-related health anxieties include hypochondriacal anxiety related to the workplace and
beliefs that work is harmful to one’s health and that the working conditions make one sick.
Work-related cognitions of insufficiency include concerns about one’s own qualifications
being inadequate, excessive demands, lack of knowledge and mistakes resulting in this. They
also include anxiety towards taking on new tasks, structural, personnel or technical changes in
the company or uncertainty of being able to cope with future developments.
Work-related worries are a tendency towards generalised excessive worrying and constant
concern about daily minor hassles at the workplace. It includes dealing with work problems
during leisure time as well as the impairment of other everyday activities due to worries about
work matters. It also contains exaggerated existential worries of losing one’s job and of losing
social status and economic livelihood.
6
4. Questionnaire development and sample description
A preliminary version of the JAS-questionnaire with 106 items was prepared based on patient
reports on work-anxiety, diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders and general anxiety
questionnaires. The results of a pilot study enabled the number of items to be reduced to 70.
The evaluation is based on a five-level Likert scale, from “0” “does not apply at all” to “4”
“fully applies”.
The JAS was given to the patients with the title “Questionnaire on workplace problems”,
which enquires “situations, thoughts and feelings that can be experienced at the workplace”.
Patients were asked to refer their answers to their current job, or in the case of unemployment,
to their last job or a similar job. If they work several jobs at the same time, the answers should
refer to the job that has most influence on their well-being and everyday life. The scale was
preceded by a short questionnaire which gathered data on age, gender, employment status,
unemployment or sick leave periods and position in the workplace. In addition to the JAS, the
STAI-T (Spielberger et al., 1981) was used to measure general trait anxiety. Patients filled out
the JAS at the beginning of their inpatient stay in a rehabilitation clinic. A follow-upmeasurement was done one week later.
The sample of N = 190 consisted of 100 patients from an orthopaedic and 90 patients from a
psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic. 72 % were women. The mean age of patients was 48.7
years (SD = 8.6). 82% of the persons tested were employed when admitted to the clinic,
17.5% were unemployed and one person was retired. 57% of the patients worked immediately
prior to being admitted to the clinic, 25% were on sick leave before admission. The duration
of unemployment was between one and 58 months (M = 16), the duration of sick leave was
between two and 72 weeks (M = 7). In their last or current employment contract, 93% of the
respondents were employed, 2.5% were self-employed. 10% held a middle management
position and 5% a senior management position.
7
5. Criteria for test quality
In a sub-sample of N = 185 patients, test-retest reliability was determined individually for
each item and was rit = .815 in the JAS-overall mean. Item 59 had the lowest reliability (rit =
.575), item 33 the highest (rit = .933). The overall scale can therefore be considered a reliable
instrument.
The internal consistencies (Cronbach’s alpha; Table 2, Appendix) of the five dimensions of
all patients were between .87 and .95 and the one of the overall scale was .98. They can
therefore be assessed as very good.
The mean values of the dimensions (Table 2, Appendix) form an almost identical ranking for
both sub-samples: The highest values are found in dimension E “generalised work-related
worrying”, followed by dimension C “health and body-related fears” and dimension D
“cognitions of insufficiency”. Dimensions A “stimulus-related anxiety and avoidance
behaviour” and B “social anxiety” received the lowest mean values.
The two sub-samples of psychosomatic and orthopaedic patients differed significantly not
only with regard to the STAI-T, but also with regard to the mean values of the five JAS
dimensions and all subscales, except for “hypochondriac tendencies” and “function-related
anxieties”. Figure 1 (appendix) shows the mean values of the 14 subscales for the total sample
as well as the sub-samples.
8
6. Correlations with covariates
There are significant correlations of JAS with the previous duration of incapacity to work in
both patient groups (Table 2). In comparison with the JAS, the STAI-T only shows a
correlation with the duration of incapacity to work in psychosomatic patients. There are no
correlations with unemployment for STAI-T and JAS. In contrast to the STAI-T (and its
negative correlation with age), there is no significant correlation with age in the JAS. JAS
mean and STAI-T correlate significantly in the total sample (r = .687**). Differentiated by
sub-samples, the correlation is even higher in the orthopaedic patients (r = .675**) than in the
psychosomatic sample (r = .587**).
Gender differences. There are no significant gender differences for the overall JAS scale, but
significantly higher STAI-T values in the overall sample are found among women.
9
7. Factorial structure
The factorial structure of the questionnaire was examined for the total JAS scale as well as
separately for its five dimensions by principal component analysis with varimax rotation. The
analysis of all items of the total scale showed a high general factor in the initial solution with
41% explained variance. A factor analysis of the five dimensions (where one dimension was
analysed as one item) resulted in a general factor that explained 79% of the variance.
The theoretically assumed five-dimensional structure was largely confirmed. There were only
minor deviations of the factorial solution of the JAS structure from the theoretical
specification. There is high discriminatory power for almost all items regarding the overall
scale as well as high internal consistencies of all sub-dimensions and the overall JAS scale.
A factor analysis was conducted for each of the five dimensions in order to examine to what
extent the subscales can be differentiated within their main dimension. The theoretically
assumed structure of the subscales was largely confirmed in these factor analyses of the
individual dimensions (Table 3.1-3.5). In dimension A, “Stimulus-related anxiety and
avoidance behaviour”, 14 of 17 items load on the postulated factors and in dimension B,
“Social anxieties”, 14 of 19 items have an exact assignment. The dimensions C “Health
related anxieties” and E “Work-related worries” are exactly mapped in their postulated
structure by the factor analysis. Only dimension D “Cognitions of insufficiency” does not
show the theoretically assumed distribution of loadings on the two subscales “General feeling
of insufficiency” and “Fear of change” in the empirical solution. Instead, the items seem to be
arranged according to other aspects of content (cf. Table 3.4): Thus, the first factor
accumulates items that primarily include intrapsychic experiences and that express
psychological strain in terms of uncertainties about change, work circumstances, the
experience of being overwhelmed and experienced limitations (e.g. items 11, 12, 18, 4, 13,
45). The second factor includes specific situation-related content, such as anxiety about
operational changes, new tasks, qualification and knowledge, mistakes and work pace, as well
as the effects of health restrictions (e.g. items 17, 43, 59, 37, 60, 55).
10
8. Calculations of the intercorrelation of the 14 subscales
Table 4 shows significant results for all correlations, albeit at different levels. An
accumulation of comparatively small correlations in the subscales “worries about job security
and the future” and “functional impairment” is striking. For example, “functional
impairment” is only slightly related to “ideas of persecution and mobbing” (r = .361), “fears
of exploitation” (r = .373) and “worries about job security and the future” (r = 373). Similarly,
“worries about job security and the future” have a low correlation with “hypochondriac
anxieties” (r = .374), the two items describing “global feelings of anxiety toward the
workplace” (r = .355) and “ideas of persecution and mobbing” (r = .394). Particularly high
correlations can be observed between the “global feelings of anxiety toward the workplace”
and “anticipatory anxieties” (r = .815) as well as “phobic avoidance” (r = .809). Furthermore,
there are close correlations between “experience of panic or other somatic symptoms” and
“anticipatory anxieties” (r = .882) and “general feeling of insufficiency” (r = .804).
11
9. Discussion
The “Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)” allows a differentiation and quantification of job-related
anxieties, a complex clinical phenomenon that is becoming increasingly important in medical
rehabilitation and socio-medical assessments. The interaction of the emotional, cognitive and
behavioural aspects of work-related anxiety measured with the JAS allow to derive useful
information for the design of work-related therapies, which can create a basis for ensuring the
ability to participate in the workplace.
A review of the scale’s factorial structure revealed that work-related anxieties occur in a
similar structure in both subsamples, although they are more pronounced in the
psychosomatic patients in terms of intensity. The higher correlation between JAS and STAI-T
in orthopaedic patients can be interpreted as an indication that other underlying mental
illnesses must also be taken into account in psychosomatic patients. In principle, the moderate
significant correlations between JAS and STAI-T found in both groups can be interpreted as
proof of validity for measuring the construct “anxiety”.
The lower gender dependence of the JAS in contrast to the STAI-T provides further indication
of validity and speaks in favour of the possibility of mapping the independent quality of work
anxiety (Linden & Muschalla, 2007b).
The present results show that different forms of work-anxiety are variously pronounced in
different people and therefore need to be differentiated. For example, those who experience
more intense feelings of insufficiency at work may, but do not have to suffer equally from
hypochondriac anxiety about the workplace. The different intercorrelations of the subscales
emphasise the individual strength of the relation between individual facet of work-related
anxieties. For example, “worries about job security and the future” presents as a rather
cognitive phenomenon, which is little related to body-related symptoms or functional deficit
concerns and is also associated with social aspects such as ideas of impairment to a
comparatively small extent. Existential worries are also limited to a very specific aspect of
work. “Social anxieties” on the other hand, are related to a high level of general work-anxiety,
which is also expressed in high correlations with various other facets, e.g. with avoidance,
anticipatory anxiety, physical symptoms and insufficiency concerning work. This can be
explained by the fact that most workplaces represent genuine social situations.
12
10. Notes on using the Job Anxiety Scale
The Job Anxiety Scale has been designed as a research tool and aims to differentiate between
different qualities of work-related anxiety. It can be applied in clinical as well as in nonclinical samples with test persons of working age. It can be presented to test persons as a
“Questionnaire on work problems” in the following form (Appendix B).
The “Questionnaire on work problems” consists of two parts: In the first part, after a short
introductory instruction, general work-related information is surveyed (3 pages), which can be
helpful in the evaluation and interpretation of the scale values. This part can also be left out.
The Job Anxiety Scale itself consists of 70 items (5 pages), each of which should be rated by
the respondent on a scale of 0 to 4, with reference to the current or last work situation. No
further tools are required for the processing and evaluation of the questionnaire.
The evaluation is uncomplicated: Different scale values can be calculated by averaging the
item scores with respect to the total scale, the five main dimensions, or the 14 subscales. The
higher the mean value of a scale, the more severe the degree of work anxiety experience in the
respective area. There are no items to be reversed for the evaluation.
A self-assessment with the Job Anxiety Scale can be used for the following purposes in
clinical samples:
a. state diagnostic of work anxiety degree at a certain point in time (e.g. extent of workanxiety in the beginning or end of therapy)
b. in the context of repeated assessments for the purpose of evaluating progress and
estimating prognoses
c. as a starting point for the identification of therapeutic goals and, if necessary,
assignment to special work-related therapeutic units (screening instrument)
The Job Anxiety Scale is primarily a research instrument. It is – just like any other self-rating
scale of psychopathology - not suitable for making clinically valid diagnoses of anxiety
disorders! For the latter purpose, taking a thorough psychopathological assessment, specific
anamnesis, and medical council is necessary, as is standard in clinical diagnostic.
13
11. References
Buddeberg-Fischer, B., Klaghofer, R., & Buddeberg, C. (2005). Arbeitsstress und
gesundheitliches Wohlbefinden junger Ärztinnen und Ärzte [Work stress and physical
well-being of young doctors]. Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und
Psychotherapie, 51, 163-78.
Brodsky, C.M. (1988). The psychiatric epidemic in the American workplace. Occupational
Medicine, 3, 633-62.
Dormann, C., Zapf, D., & Isic, A. (2002). Emotionale Arbeitsanforderungen und ihre
Konsequenzen bei Call-Center-Arbeitsplätzen [Emotional work demands and their
consequences for call center jobs]. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie,
46, 201-15.
Fehm, L. & Schmidt, K. (2006). Performance anxiety in gifted adolescent musicians. Journal
of Anxiety Disorders, 20, 98-109.
Greif, S., Bamberg, E., & Semmer, N. (Hrsg.) (1991). Psychischer Stress am Arbeitsplatz
[Psychological stress at work]. Göttingen: Hogrefe.
Gusy, B. (1995). Stressoren in der Arbeit, soziale Unterstützung und Burnout [Stressors at
work, social support and burnout]. München: Profil.
Haines, J., Williams, C.L., & Carson, J.M. (2002). Workplace phobia: Psychological and
psychophysiological mechanisms. International Journal of Stress Management, 9, 129145.
Hasalm, C., Atkinson, S., Brown, S.S., & Hasalm R.A. (2005). Anxiety and depression in the
workplace: Effects on the individual and organisation (a focus group investigation).
Journal of Affective Disorders, 88, 209-15.
Helge, D. (2001). Turning workplace anger and anxiety into peak performance. Strategies for
enhancing employee health and productivity. American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses Journal, 49, 399-406.
Helge D. (2001). Positively channelling workplace anger and anxiety. Part I+II. American
Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal, 49, 482-9, 445-52.
Hobson, J. & Beach, J.R. (2000). An investigation of the relationship between psychological
health and workload among managers. Occupational Medicine, 50, 518-22.
Kawakami N., Iwata N., Tanigawa T., Oga H., Araki S., Fujihara S. & Kitamura T. (1996).
Prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in a working population in Japan. Journal of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 38, 899-905.
14
Laposa, J.M., Alden, L.E. & Fullerton, L.M. (2003). Work stress and posttraumatic stress
disorder in ED nurses/personnel. Journal of Emergency Nursering, 29, 23-8.
Leymann, H. (1993). Mobbing. Psychoterror am Arbeitsplatz und wie man sich dagegen
wehren kann [Bullying. Psycho terror at work and how to fight it]. Hamburg: Rohwolt.
Linden, M., Oberle-Thiemann, C. & Weidner, C. (2003). Arbeitsplatzphobie [Workplace
phobia]. Münchener Medizinische Wochenschrift – Fortschritte der Medizin, 145, 33-36.
Linden, M. & Muschalla, B. (2007a). Arbeitsplatzphobie [Workplace phobia]. Der
Nervenarzt, 78, 39-44.
Linden, M. & Muschalla, B. (2007b). Anxiety disorders and workplace-related anxieties.
Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21, 467-474.
MacDonald, H.A., Colota, V., Flamer, S. & Karlinsky, H. (2003). Posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) in the workplace: A descriptive study of workers experiencing PTSD
resulting from work injury. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 13, 63-77.
Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of
Occupational Behaviour, 2, 99-113.
Price, J.L., Monson, C.M., Callahan, K. & Rodriguez, B.F. (2005). The role of emotional
functioning in military-related PTSD and its treatment. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20,
661-74.
Rohmert, W. (1984). Das Belastungs-Beanspruchungskonzept [The load-strain concept].
Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, 38, 193-200.
Sczesny, S. & Thau, S. (2004). Gesundheitsbewertung vs. Arbeitszufriedenheit: Der
Zusammenhang von Indikatoren des subjektiven Wohlbefindens mit selbstberichteten
Fehlzeiten [Health assessment vs. job satisfaction: The relationship between indicators of
subjective well-being and self-reported absenteeism]. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und
Organisationspsychologie, 48, 17-24.
Selye, H. (1983). The stress concept today. Past, present and future. In C.L. Cooper (Ed.)
Stress Research-Issues for the Eighties (pp. 1-20). Chichester: Wiley.
Spielberger, C.D., Laux, L., Glanzmann, P. & Schaffner, P. (1981). Das State-Trait-AngstInventar [The State Trait Fear Inventory]. Weinheim: Beltz Testgesellschaft.
Treier, M. (2003). Belastungs- und Beanspruchungsmomente bei der Teleheimarbeit [Load
and stress situations in home-based teleworking]. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und
Organisationspsychologie, 47, 24-35.
Turnipseed, D.L. (1998). Anxiety and burnout in the health care work environment.
Psychological Reports, 82, 627-42.
15
Wegge, J. & Neuhaus, L. (2002). Emotionen bei der Büroarbeit am PC: Ein Test der
„affective events“-Theorie [Emotions during office work at the computer: Testing the
“affective events” theory]. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie, 46,
173-84.
Zapf, D., Knorz, C., & Kulla, M. (1996). On the relationship between mobbing factors and
job content, social work environment and health outcomes. European Journal of Work
and Organizational Psychology, 5, 215-37.
16
12. Appendix A:
Tables and figures
Table 2. Statistical parameters of the Job Anxiety Scale (JAS)
Sample
Psychosomatics
Object of analysis
(N= 90)
1. Cronbach’s alpha
Total scale
.979
Dimension A: Anxiety, avoidance
.951
Dimension B: Social anxieties
.922
Dimension C: Health related anxieties
.939
Dimension D: Cogn. of insufficiency
.919
Dimension E: Work-related worries
.881
2. Means
JAS mean (SD)
1.66 (0,96)
Dimension A: Anxiety, avoidance
1.7 (rank 4)
Dimension B: Social anxieties
1.31 (rank 5)
Dimension C: Health related anxieties
1.98 (rank 2)
Dimension D: Cogn. of insufficiency
1.64 (rank 3)
Dimension E: Work-related worries
2.17 (rank 1)
STAI-T mean (SD)
54.84 (11.86)
3. Correlations JAS - confounders:
Age
r = .174
Duration of incapacity to work
r = .360**
Duration of unemployment
r = .038
4. Correlations
JAS mean - STAI-T
r= .587**
5. Correlations STAI-T – confounders:
Age
r = -.071
Duration of incapacity to work
r = .242**
Duration of unemployment
r = .077
*p<.05, **p<.01
Orthopaedics
(N= 100)
All patients
(N= 190)
.967
.896
.885
.894
.902
.826
.978
.948
.917
.921
.922
.870
0.99 (0.68)
0.7 (rank 5)
0.76 (rank 4)
1.42 (rank 2)
0.98 (rank 3)
1.52 (rank 1)
41.2 (10,69)
1.3 (0.87)
1.1 (rank 4)
1.02 (rank 5)
1.68 (rank 2)
1.23 (rank 3)
1.83 (rank 1)
47.83(13.16)
r = -.112
r = .308**
r = .027
r= -.003
r= .294*
r= -.153
r= .675**
r= .687**
r = -.254*
r = -.022
r = -.129
r = -.187*
r = .065
r = -.063
17
Table 3.1-3.5. Factorial order of the subscale items according to principal component analysis with varimax
rotation.
Notes: Loads >.30 are listed, principal loads in bold. The items are listed coherently according to their theoretical
grouping.
Dimension A: Stimulus-related anxiety and avoidance behaviour
Factors extracted
Number and content of item
Anticipatory anxieties with feelings of strain when being at the workplace or in
anticipation of situations or events at the workplace
(2) When thinking about my workplace, everything in my body is tense.
(5) When imagining having to pass a complete working day at this workplace, I get
feelings of panic.
(6) In special situations at the workplace I am afraid of getting symptoms like
trembling, blushing, sweating, racing heart.
(19) My sleep is worse before working days in contrast to non-working-days.
(48) While working, I am always paying attention what could happen next.
Global feelings of anxiety toward the workplace
(63) Global item
I feel severely uncomfortable and tense when I am at my workplace.
(64) Global item
I feel severely uncomfortable and tense when I think of my workplace.
Phobic avoidance of work situations
(22) I feel tense when entering public places (like the supermarket of my town) where I
could meet colleagues or superiors.
(23) Whenever possible, I avoid coming near to the site of my workplace.
(10) I rather take a roundabout way instead of passing the street where my workplace
is situated.
(28) I had to go on sick leave once or for several times because I could not stand the
problems at my workplace any longer.
(30) On my way to my workplace I would rather turn and walk back.
(33) After work I hurry up more than others just to get away from that place.
Conditioned or posttraumatic anxiety
(65) It is only since a stressful event that I have this feeling of tension and
uncomfortability at the workplace.
(36) Special situations at work remind me of bad situations in the past and make me
nervous.
(41) I have once experienced a terrible event at the workplace which is still present in
my mind and makes me feel frightened at work.
(9) I often see pictures and memories in my mind’s eye which remind me of bad
experiences that happened at the workplace.
I
II
.766
.813
.312
.312
.618
III
.431
.626
.327
.402
.383
.774
.353
.749
.355
.384
.726
.307
.326
.861
.782
.562
.712
.444
.501
.516
.481
.499
.373
.697
.393
.609
.815
.392
.351
.633
18
3.2. Dimension B: Social anxieties
Factors extracted
Number and content of item
Fears of exploitation
(39) My colleagues exploit me.
(40) My superior exploits me.
(15) At my work, everything always ends remaining at me.
(27) My colleagues are looking after themselves and the work remains with me.
(24) In my work one does not get the proper salary for the achievements that one has to
do.
Interactional anxiety
(25) When I see special colleagues or superiors only from far away at work, I try not to
meet them directly.
(26) When I see special colleagues or superiors only from far away outside my
workplace, I try not to meet them directly.
(42) When I have to speak with colleagues or superiors, I am afraid of getting
symptoms like e.g. trembling, sweating, racing heart, blushing.
(44) I feel unsure when I have to work together with special persons.
(46) I panic when I am ordered to come to my superior.
(47) I feel unsure when somebody observes me while I am working.
(31) At the workplace I have got problems with clients (or patients, students,
customers…)
(62) At the workplace, I have got problems with one or more colleagues.
(38) I have got problems with one or more superiors.
Ideas of persecution and mobbing
(49) At this workplace, they make me stand outside.
(51) My superior is harassing me.
(52) My colleagues are harassing me.
(54) At my workplace I am at the mercy of persons’ arbitrary behaviours and
unfairness.
(56) At my workplace they intentionally made awful working circumstances for me.
I
II
III
.846
.753
.556
.830
.423
.384
.654
.579
.751
.335
.770
.779
.796
.451
.347
.588
.446
.810
.383
.430
.550
.385
.601
.379
.535
.367
.323
.755
19
3.3. Dimension C: Health related anxieties
Factors extracted
Number and content of item
Hypochondriac anxieties and the idea that working conditions endanger health
(21) My work ruins my state of health.
(29) If I stay any longer at this workplace, this will cause harm to my health.
(66) With my acute health problems, I normally should not be able to work at this
workplace.
(1) The circumstances at my workplace make me sick.
(50) The stress at my workplace is causing ill health.
Experience of panic or other somatic symptoms while being at work
(7) I have experienced that in special situations at my workplace, I get symptoms like
trembling, blushing, sweating, racing heart.
(32) The nearer I come to my workplace, the more I get symptoms, like trembling,
sweating, heatwaves or racing heart.
(34) In special situations at work I regularly panic.
Functional impairment i.e. the fear that one’s own ill health impairs work
performance
(58) I have health-related impairments which reduce my capacities in working
achievement.
(3) My state of health causes problems for me in my working day.
I
II
III
.734
.832
.655
.417
.332
.365
.811
.610
.365
.520
.518
.803
.398
.750
.813
.850
.484
.722
20
3.4. Dimension D: Cognitions of insufficiency
Factors extracted
Number and content of item
General feeling of insufficiency the feeling of insufficient qualification, overload, or lack in
knowledge
(11) I feel overtaxed with my work.
(12) My working circumstances are negative stress for me.
(18) The conditions under which I work make me nervous.
(17) I have the feeling that my knowledge is not sufficient for the work I am carrying out.
(43) I make many mistakes at work or I am too slow.
(59) I am not enough qualified for new tasks at work.
(37) I have the idea my impairments cause deficits in my working achievements.
(8) I have miserable feelings at my workplace which restrict my capacities for achievement.
(60) I fear that colleagues could judge me negatively because of my health impairments.
Fear of change or feelings of insecurity because of impending changes at the workplace
(16) I do not know how to react when I am confronted with new tasks at work.
(4) I suffer from the fact that I never know what comes up next at my workplace.
(13) I suffer because I cannot feel sure that everything will not be changed at work.
(45) I am suffering from the fact that I am always left in unclearness what will come up to me
at work.
(55) I have the idea that I can no more get along with changes at my workplace.
I
II
.575
.524
.811
.822
.721
.333
.338
.849
.742
.675
.752
.693
.773
.566
.348
.527
.649
.302
.787
21
3.5. Dimension E: Work-related worries
Factors extracted
Number and content of item
Generalised worrying about minor matters concerning the workplace
(67) I am always worrying about minor matters in my work and during all the working day.
(14) Colleagues or family have already told me that I should not always worry that much
about work.
(20) Even in my free-time I continue thinking about work.
(57) My thoughts about work problems hinder me to carry out other all-day activities.
(68) I am suffering from the worries which I cannot put away or stop.
Worries about the job security and future
(61) I believe it is realistic that nowadays one is easily fired because of times of absence.
(35) I believe that – no matter how engaged one is working – the workplace is always
endangered.
(69) Being out of work means for me losing all my image and reputation.
(70) A loss of my workplace is/would be existentially threatening.
(53) If one becomes unemployed nowadays, one will never find a job again.
I
II
.835
.668
.315
.792
.766
.851
.315
.470
.579
.517
.727
.664
.783
22
Table 4. Inter-correlations of the subscales. Pearson correlation.
Notes on scale abbreviations:
A Antici = Dimension A: Anticipatory anxieties; A Avoid = Dimension A: Phobic avoidance of work situations; A Cond = Dimension A: Conditioned or posttraumatic anxiety;
A General = Dimension A: Global feelings of anxiety toward the workplace.
B Exploit = Dimension B: Fears of exploitation; B Inter = Dimension B: Interactional anxiety; B Mob = Dimension B: Ideas of persecution and mobbing.
C Hypoch = Dimension C: Hypochondriac anxieties; C Panic = Dimension C: Experience of panic or other somatic symptoms; C Funct = Dimension C: Functional impairment.
D Insuff = Dimension D: General feeling of insufficiency; D Change = Dimension D: Fear of change
E Gen worr = Dimension E: Generalised worrying; E Exist = Dimension E: Worries about the job security and future.
A
Antici
A Antici
A Avoid
A Cond
A Global
B Exploit
B Inter
B Mob
C Hypoch
C Sympt
C Funkt
D Insuff
D Change
E Gen wor
E Secur
A
Avoid
A
Cond
A
Global
B
Exploit
B
Inter
B
Mob
C
Hypoch
C
Panic
C
Funct
D
Insuff
D
Change
.798**
.703**
.689**
.815**
.809**
.666**
.514**
.574**
.446**
.468**
.750**
.767**
.685**
.720**
.594**
.601**
.656**
.612**
.594**
.620**
.737**
.723**
.654**
.501**
.672**
.512**
.563**
.496**
.882**
.759**
.722**
.775**
.551**
.757**
.588**
.765**
.543**
.471**
.400**
.471**
.373**
.465**
.361**
.673**
.578**
.777**
.676**
.609**
.745**
.501**
.762**
.547**
.714**
.804**
.647**
.693**
.582**
.542**
.556**
.540**
.719**
.551**
.558**
.708**
.457**
.764**
E
Gen
wor
.746**
.639**
.576**
.626**
.594**
.657**
.530**
.584**
.737**
.481**
.680**
.669**
E
Secur
.467**
.401**
.418**
.355**
.454**
.499**
.394**
.374**
.475**
.373**
.477**
.564**
.600**
23
Figure 1. Subscale means of the total sample as well as psychosomatic and orthopaedic patients
Notes. Subscales: 1 = Anticipatory anxieties; 2 = Phobic avoidance of work situations; 3 = Conditioned or posttraumatic anxiety; 4 = Global feelings of anxiety toward the
workplace; 5 = Fears of exploitation; 6 = Interactional anxiety; 7 = Ideas of persecution and mobbing; 8 = Hypochondriac anxieties; 9 = Experience of panic or other somatic
symptoms; 10 = Functional impairment; 11 = General feeling of insufficiency; 12 = Fear of change; 13 = Generalised worrying; 14 = Worries about the job security and future.
24
13. Appendix B:
Questionnaire on workplace problems including the
Job Anxiety Scale JAS (self-rating questionnaire)
25
Research Group Psychosomatic Rehabilitation
at the Charité University Medicine Berlin
Hindenburgdamm 30, Haus IIIA
12200 Berlin
www.charite.de/fpr
© Beate Muschalla & Michael Linden
Questionnaire on
workplace problems
26
Work is an important domain of life. Problems at the workplace therefore may lead to
mental problems as well. The kind of loads at the workplace may be very different. In
the following questionnaire you will be asked to judge in which degree you have got
problems at your workplace or with your work.
Please begin by providing us with some general information about your current work
situation:
1. What is your current employment situation? (please just tick one)
[ ] undergoing training
[ ] military/community service/voluntary social year
[ ] employed, full-time, permanent
[ ] employed, part-time in permanent employment
[ ] employed, occasionally
[ ] housewife/-husband or assisting family member, otherwise not employed
[ ] employed in protected facility
[ ] unemployed, registered with the employment office
[ ] permanent disability pension and not employed
[ ] temporary disability pension and not employed
[ ] widow’s pension/retirement pension/part-time retirement and not employed
[ ] pension/partial pension and employed
[ ] secondary labour market
[ ] employment promotion measures
2. Your answers in the following questionnaire therefore relate to
[ ] your current workstation
[ ] your last job (if you are currently without work) where you were employed until
_____________(month/year)
3. Do you have or have had any of the following problems at this workplace? (please just tick
one)
- Are you frequently absent or ill?
- Do you have problems with superiors, colleagues or customers?
- Do you feel overtaxed by the amount of work?
- Do you feel overtaxed by the work content or the nature of the task?
- Are you burdened with external circumstances (e.g. restructuring)?
[ ] no [ ] yes
[ ] no [ ] yes
[ ] no [ ] yes
[ ] no [ ] yes
[ ] no [ ] yes
Is your job threatened for these or other reasons?
[ ] no [ ] yes
Why exactly?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
27
4. If you are currently unemployed, why? (please just tick one)
[ ] I don’t need or look for a job
[ ] I am short-term unemployed (up to 1 year) due to individual circumstances (e.g. illness,
family, qualification)
[ ] I am short-term unemployed (up to 1 year) due to external circumstances (e.g. company
went bankrupt, no jobs available)
[ ] I am long-term unemployed (more than 1 year) due to individual circumstances (e.g.
illness, family, qualification)
[ ] I am long-term unemployed (more than 1 year) due to external circumstances (e.g.
company went bankrupt, no jobs available)
5. What is the primary importance for you to have a job (whether or not you currently have
one)? (please just tick one)
[ ] I do not need or want a job (e.g. housewife/-husband)
[ ] I need a job to make a living
[ ] I need the work for self-realisation (i.e. not necessarily for securing my existence)
6. Have you been on sick leave during the last 12 months?
[ ] no
[ ] yes, for a total of _________ weeks
7. Are you currently on sick leave?
[ ] yes, for a duration of _________ weeks
[ ] no
8. Why are you currently on sick leave?
[ ] because of a physical illness
[ ] because of psychological problems
9. If a sick note currently exists: is this partly due to the workplace situation?
[ ] yes
[ ] no
[ ] There is currently no sick note.
10. If no sick note currently exists: was the last sick note in the last 12 months also caused by
the workplace situation?
[ ] yes
[ ] no
[ ] There hasn’t been a sick note in the last 12 months.
11 What is your profession/employment?
_________________________________________________________________________
28
12. How many hours per week is the usual working time?
_________ hours
13. How many hours do you actually work per week?
_________ hours
14. How long have you been working, or have you worked in this company?
_________ years and______ months
15. With how many colleagues do you work/collaborate regularly (i.e. direct contact several
times a week)?
__________
16. With how many supervisors do you work/collaborate regularly (i.e. direct contact several
times a week)?
__________
17. Do/did you work with the public (customers, patients, students, etc.) on the majority of
working days?
[ ] yes
[ ] no
29
Questionnaire on job-related thoughts, feelings and
behaviour
The statements describe situations, thoughts and feelings which one can have experienced in
connection with the workplace. Please make a sign for each statement to which degree it is
reflecting your personal job-situation.
In case you are currently out of work, please imagine the situation you would return to your last
or a similar workplace. In case you are currently employed in more than one workplace, please
think about which of these workplaces has the greatest influence on your everyday life and wellbeing and give your judgements according to this workplace.
Make a cross in “0” in case you absolutely disagree with the statement, in “4” if you absolutely
agree and in “1”, “2” or “3” in case you agree a little bit, partly or predominantly.
Please do not leave out questions!
The circumstances at my workplace make me sick.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
When thinking about my workplace, everything
in my body is tense.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My state of health causes problems for me in my
working day.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I suffer from the fact that I never know what comes
up next at my workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
When imagining having to pass a complete working
day at this workplace, I get feelings of panic.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
In special situations at the workplace I am afraid of
getting symptoms like trembling, blushing, sweating,
racing heart.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have experienced that in special situations at
my workplace, I get symptoms like trembling,
blushing, sweating, racing heart.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have miserable feelings at my workplace which
restrict my capacities for achievement.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I often see pictures and memories in my mind’s
eye which remind me of bad experiences that
happened at the workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I rather take a roundabout way instead of passing
the street where my workplace is situated.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel overtaxed with my work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My working circumstances are negative stress for me. do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I suffer because I cannot feel sure that everything
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
30
will not be changed at work.
Colleagues or family have already told me that
I should not always worry that much about work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At my work, everything always ends remaining at me. do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I do not know how to react when I am confronted with do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
new tasks at work.
I have the feeling that my knowledge is
not sufficient for the work I am carrying out.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
The conditions under which I work make me nervous. do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My sleep is worse before working days in contrast
to non-working-days.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
Even in my free time I continue thinking about work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My work ruins my state of health.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel tense when entering public places
(like the supermarket of my town) where I could
meet colleagues or superiors.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
Whenever possible, I avoid coming near to the
site of my workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
In my work one does not get the proper
salary for the achievements that one has to do.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
When I see special colleagues or superiors only
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
from far away at work, I try not to meet them directly.
When I see special colleagues or superiors only
from far away outside my workplace,
I try not to meet them directly.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My colleagues are looking after themselves and
the work remains with me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I had to go on sick leave once or for several times
because I could not stand the problems at my
workplace any longer.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
If I stay any longer at this workplace, this will cause
harm to my health.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
On my way to my workplace I would rather turn
and walk back.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At the workplace I have got problems with clients
(or patients, students, customers…)
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
31
The nearer I come to my workplace, the more
I get symptoms, like trembling, sweating,
heatwaves or racing heart.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
After work I hurry up more than others
just to get away from that place.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
In special situations at work I regularly panic.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I believe that – no matter how engaged one is
working – the workplace is always endangered.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
Special situations at work remind me of
bad situations in the past and make me nervous.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have the idea my impairments cause deficits in
my working achievements.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have got problems with one or more superiors.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My colleagues exploit me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My superior exploits me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have once experienced a terrible event at the
workplace which is still present in my mind and
makes me feel frightened at work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
When I have to speak with colleagues or superiors
I am afraid of getting symptoms like e.g. trembling,
sweating, racing heart, blushing.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I make many mistakes at work or I am too slow.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel unsure when I have to work together
with special persons.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I am suffering from the fact that I am always left
in unclearness what will come up to me at work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I panic when I am ordered to come to my superior.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel unsure when somebody observes me
while I am working.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
While working, I am always paying attention
what could happen next.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At this workplace, they make me stand outside.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
The stress at my workplace is causing ill health.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My superior is harassing me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
32
My colleagues are harassing me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
If one becomes unemployed nowadays,
one will never find a job again.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At my workplace I am at the mercy of
persons’ arbitrary behaviours and unfairness.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have the idea that I can no more get along with
changes at my workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At my workplace they intentionally made
awful working circumstances for me.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
My thoughts about work problems
hinder me to carry out other everyday activities.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I have health-related impairments which reduce
my capacities in working achievement.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I am not enough qualified for new tasks at work.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I fear that colleagues could judge me negatively
because of my health impairments.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I believe it is realistic that nowadays one is easily
fired because of times of absence.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
At the workplace, I have got problems with
one or more colleagues.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel severely uncomfortable and tense
when I am at my workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I feel severely uncomfortable and tense
when I think of my workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
It is only since a stressful event that I have this feeling do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
of tension and uncomfortability at the workplace.
With my acute health problems, I normally should
not be able to work at this workplace.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I am always worrying about minor matters
in my work and during all the working day.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
I am suffering from the worries which I cannot
put away or stop.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
Being out of work means for me losing all my
image and reputation.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
A loss of my workplace is/would be existentially
threatening.
do not agree at all 0 1 2 3 4 totally agree
33
14. Appendix C:
Job Anxiety Scale: Overview of items, main dimensions and subscales
34
Items of the Job Anxiety Scale: Main dimensions (A-E) and subscales (scales within each main dimension)
Dimension A: Stimulus-related anxiety and avoidance behaviour
A1 Anticipatory anxieties
with feelings of strain when being at
the workplace or in anticipation of
situations or events at the workplace
(5 items)
A2 Phobic avoidance of work
situations
(6 items)
A3 Conditioned or posttraumatic
anxiety
(4 items)
A4 Global feelings of anxiety
toward the workplace
(2 items)
(2) When thinking about my workplace,
everything in my body is tense.
(22) I feel tense when entering public
places (like the supermarket of my town)
where I could meet colleagues or
superiors.
(65) It is only since a stressful event that
I have this feeling of tension and
uncomfortability at the workplace.
(63) I feel severely uncomfortable and
tense when I am at my workplace.
(5) When imagining having to pass a
complete working day at this
workplace, I get feelings of panic.
(6) In special situations at the
workplace I am afraid of getting
symptoms like trembling, blushing,
sweating, racing heart.
(19) My sleep is worse before working
days in contrast to non-working-days.
(48) While working, I am always
paying attention what could happen
next.
(23) Whenever possible, I avoid coming
near to the site of my workplace.
(10) I rather take a roundabout way
instead of passing the street where my
workplace is situated.
(28) I had to go on sick leave once or for
several times because I could not stand
any longer the problems at my
workplace.
(36) Special situations at work remind
me of bad situations in the past and
make me nervous.
(64) I feel severely uncomfortable and
tense when I think of my workplace.
(41) I have once experienced a terrible
event at the workplace which is still
present in my mind and makes me feel
frightened at work.
(9) I often see pictures and memories in
my mind’s eye which remind me of bad
experiences that happened at the
workplace.
(30) On my way to my workplace I
would rather turn and walk back.
(33) After work I hurry up more than
others just to get away from that place.
35
Dimension B: Social anxieties
B5 Fears of exploitation
(5 items)
B6 Ideas of persecution
and mobbing
(5 items)
B7 Interactional anxiety
i.e. fears whenever confronted with
colleagues or superiors
(9 items)
(39) My colleagues exploit me.
(49) At this workplace, they make me
stand outside.
(25) When I see special colleagues or
superiors only from far away at work, I
try not to meet them directly.
(40) My superior exploits me.
(51) My superior is harassing me.
(15) At my work, everything always
ends remaining at me.
(52) My colleagues are harassing me.
(27) My colleagues are looking after
themselves and the work remains with
me.
(54) At my workplace I am in the mercy
of persons’ arbitrary behaviours and
unfairness.
(24) In my work one does not get the
proper salary for the achievements that
one has to do.
(56) At my workplace they intentionally
made awful working circumstances for
me.
(26) When I see special colleagues or
superiors only from far away outside my
workplace, I try not to meet them
directly.
(42) When I have to speak with
colleagues or superiors, I am afraid of
getting symptoms like e.g. trembling,
sweating, racing heart, blushing.
(44) I feel unsure when I have to work
together with special persons.
(46) I panic when I am ordered to come
to my superior.
(47) I feel unsure when somebody
observes me while I am working.
(31) At the workplace I have got
problems with clients (or patients,
students, customers…)
(62) At the workplace, I have got
problems with one or more colleagues.
(38) I have got problems with one or
more superiors.
36
Dimension C: Health related anxieties
C8 Hypochondriac anxieties and the
idea that working conditions
endanger health
(5 items)
C9 Experience of panic or other
somatic symptoms while being at
work
(3 items)
C10 Functional impairment i.e. the
fear that one’s own ill health impairs
work performance
(2 items)
(21) My work ruins my state of health.
(7) I have experienced that in special
situations at my workplace, I get
symptoms like trembling, blushing,
sweating, racing heart.
(58) I have health-related impairments
which reduce my capacities in working
achievement
(29) If I stay any longer at this
workplace, this will cause harm to my
health.
(66) With my acute health problems, I
normally should not be able to work at
this workplace.
(1) The circumstances at my workplace
make me sick.
(32) The nearer I come to my workplace,
the more I get symptoms, like trembling,
sweating, heatwaves or racing heart.
(3) My state of health causes problems
for me in my working day.
(34) In special situations at work I
regularly panic.
(50) The stress at my workplace is
causing ill health. The stress at my
workplace is causing ill health.
37
Dimension D: Cognitions of insufficiency
D11 General feeling of insufficiency
the feeling of insufficient
qualification, overload, or lack in
knowledge
(9 items)
D12 Fear of change or feelings of
insecurity because of impending
changes at the workplace
(5 items)
(11) I feel overtaxed with my work.
(16) I do not know how to react when I
am confronted with new tasks at work.
(12) My working circumstances are
negative stress for me.
(18) The conditions under which I work
make me nervous.
(17) I have the feeling that my
knowledge is not sufficient for the work
I am carrying out.
(4) I suffer from the fact that I never
know what comes up next at my
workplace.
(13) I suffer because I cannot feel sure
that everything will not be changed at
work.
(43) I do many mistakes at work or I am
too slow.
(45) I am suffering from the fact that I
am always left in unclearness what will
come up to me at work.
(59) I am not enough qualified for new
tasks at work.
(55) I have the idea that I can no more
get along with changes at my workplace.
(37) I have the idea my impairments
cause deficits in my working
achievements.
(8) I have miserable feelings at my
workplace which restrict my capacities
for achievement.
(60) I fear that colleagues could judge
me negatively because of my health
impairments.
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Dimension E: Work-related worries
E13 Generalised worrying about
minor matters concerning the
workplace
(5 items)
E14 Worries about job security and
the future
(5 items)
(67) I am always worrying about minor
matters in my work and during all the
working day.
(61) I believe it is realistic that
nowadays one is easily fired because of
times of absence.
(14) Colleagues or family have already
told me that I should not always worry
that much about work.
(35) I believe that – no matter how
engaged one is working – the workplace
is always endangered.
(20) Even in my free time I continue
thinking about work.
(69) Being out of work means for me
losing all my image and reputation.
(57) My thoughts about work problems
hinder me to carry out other all-day
activities.
(70) A loss of my workplace is/would be
existentially threatening.
(68) I am suffering from the worries
which I cannot put away or stop.
(53) If one becomes unemployed
nowadays, one will never find a job
again.
Total
70 items
Calculation of scores:
Scores of main dimensions (A – E): mean score over all items belonging to the main dimension (e.g. for dimension A: mean score over all items of A1, A2, A3, A4)
Scores of subscales (scales within the dimensions A1 – E14): mean score over all items belonging to the subscale (e.g. for subscale A2: mean score over all items of A2)
Mean score job anxiety: mean score over all 70 items
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