# Validation of visual analogue scales to assess occupational stress compared to the Karasek questionnaire: A cross sectional study

## TL;DR

This study validates visual analog scales as a simpler alternative to the Karasek questionnaire for assessing occupational stress.

## Contribution

The study introduces validated visual analog scales with proposed cut-off values for assessing job stress dimensions.

## Key findings

- VAS showed moderate correlations with the JDCS model dimensions and acceptable reliability.
- Cut-off values of 58, 71.5, and 63.5 were identified for job demand, control, and support.
- VAS is proposed as a valid and practical tool for rapid stress assessment in clinical settings.

## Abstract

The Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model is one of the most important tools for assessing work-related stress. However, its complexity highlights the need for simpler instruments, such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), for rapid assessment in occupational medicine.

To validate three VAS corresponding to the main JDCS dimensions: job demand, job control, and social support.

We conducted an observational cross-sectional validation study using a self-administered questionnaire completed twice, a week apart, at the participants’ convenience, to perform test-retest.

We analysed 155 participants (60 for test and retest), mostly women around 40 years. Acceptability was excellent, with high response rates. Internal consistency analysis revealed moderate correlations between VAS and JDCS model main dimensions. Reliability assessed by Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was acceptable for the VAS and higher for the JDCS. Mean VAS scores indicated significant differences between low and high demand, control, and social support, with cut-off values of 58, 71.5 and 63.5 respectively. For external validity, we mainly found high agreement between VAS and JDCS.

VAS are valid, quick, easy to use, and reliable tools for the assessment of job demand, job control and social support in daily clinical practice for primary prevention and diagnosis. Based on our findings, easier-to-remember cut-offs could be proposed at 60, 70, and 60 for VAS job demand, VAS job control, and VAS social support, respectively. However, when results are over the determined cut-off, we encourage the use of JDCS questionnaire.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05871411.