Saf Health Work.  2024 Mar;15(1):80-86. 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.12.001.

Work Ability Index: Psychometric Testing in Aeronautical Industry Workers

Affiliations
  • 1Health and Safety Department, Medical Services, Centro Bahía de Cádiz, Airbus, El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
  • 2Research Group under the Andalusian Research, Development and Innovation Scheme CTS-391 “Grupo Multidisciplinario para el Progreso de Salud Mental ”, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
  • 3Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
  • 4Research Group under the Andalusian Research, Development, and Innovation Scheme CTS-1050 “Complex Care, Chronic and Health Outcomes”, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
  • 5Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
  • 6Research Group under the Andalusian Research, Development, and Innovation Scheme CTS-1019 MELES “Nursing Methods and Standardized Languages”, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
  • 7Centro de Salud Monòver, Conselleria de Sanitat Universal i Salut Pública, Generalitat Valenciana, Elda, Spain
  • 8Business Organization Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
  • 9Research Group under the Andalusian Research, Development and Innovation Scheme SEJ-597 HiLPlug “Lean Management of Production and Hyperconnected Universal Integrated Logistics”, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
  • 10Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Cádiz, Spain

Abstract

Background
The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI.
Methods
A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested.
Results
The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, “Subjectively estimated work ability and resources”, was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, “Ill-health-related”, of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status.
Conclusions
The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.

Keyword

Industry; Psychometrics; Reliability and validity; Spain; Work ability
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