Reclassification of the work-related stress questionnaires scales based on the work system model: A scoping review and qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Given the wide variety of factors affecting work-related stress, a work system approach could be adopted in order to better identify factors that impact individual stress. OBJECTIVES: To provide a scoping review of the available work-related stress questionnaires and to reclassify their scales on the basis of the five elements included in the work system model using a content analysis method. METHODS: The main available work-related stress questionnaires used in previous studies in the time range of 1975 to 2017 were collected through a search in several indexing and citation databases. To reclassify the scales of these questionnaires, a qualitative content analysis was used and then reclassified in accordance with the five components of work system model: job (tasks), organizational condition, individual characteristics, technology and tools, and physical environmental. RESULTS: In total, 22 questionnaires met the conditions required to be entered into the final stage of the study. Emphasis of these questionnaires was on measuring job-related factors and organizational condition-related factors. 22.7% of them had considered no scales to measure the individual characteristics-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the reclassification can help organizations select areas that encompass their own specific problems. Practical implications are also discussed.