| The purpose of this study was to develop a stress and coping scale for light rail operators, and to use statistical analysis to discover items and factors that best reflected the stress and coping experience of these workers. This study described the development, psychometric properties, and initial concurrent validity findings for the Light Rail Operator Stress and Coping Scale (LROSCS), an inventory composed of a stressor subscale, a coping subscale, and an index derived by subtracting the coping score from the stressor score. Items for the scale were generated through direct observation of Portland, Oregon Metropolitan (Tri-Met) transit workers, interviews with operators and managers to generate items, a literature review to refine item categories, and interaction with operators and mangers to refine items. Completed questionnaires were returned by 69 of 112 (60%) light rail operators: 74% men, 23% women, and 3% did not indicate gender. Results suggest the LROSCS stressors and coping subscales have strong initial internal consistency reliability. Kurtosis and skewness numbers findings allow the means and standard deviations found in this study to be used in a preliminary fashion to predict how other populations of light rail operators might score on the LROSCS. Some correlational evidence for concurrent validity of the LROSCS was found by correlating subscales and index results with items related to the importance of the job, job satisfaction, and the respondent's desire to quit their job. Factor analyses yielded eight factors for the stressor subscale and six factors for the coping subscale, Reliability findings for eight stressor factors suggested adequate to strong internal consistency reliability. Stressor factors suggest that much operator stress is due to on the job stressors, and low autonomy and/or control by the operator. Of six coping factors, five had adequate to strong internal consistency reliability and one coping factor demonstrated poor reliability. Coping factors indicate use of several cognitive/ behavioral techniques, strong social support, and participation in healthy life-style practices. Finally, while initial findings for the LROSCS are promising, further research is needed to address limitations and confirm the reliability and structural integrity of this instrument. |
