Journal
WORK AND STRESS
Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 187-207Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/0267837042000297535
Keywords
Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire; 4DSQ; distress; depression; anxiety; somatization; occupational stress; psychometric properties
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In non-clinical (working) populations it is important to differentiate between general distress, on the one hand, and psychiatric symptoms-depression, anxiety and soniatization-on the other hand. The Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) is a new instrument that measures these four symptom dimensions (Terluin, 1996). This Study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the 4DSQ in a working population. A postal stress and health survey was sent to all employees of a Dutch telecom company, 51% of whom responded (N = 3852). The mailing included the 4DSQ, a set of questionnaires concerning job stress (e.g. psychological demands), coping style (e.g. problem-focused coping, avoidant coping), and indicators of strain (e.g. emotional exhaustion, fatigue). Cronbach's alpha for the four sub-scales of the 4DSQ ranged from .79 to .90. Factor analysis showed four factors corresponding to the four scales of the 4DSQ: distress, depression, anxiety, and somatization. The validity of the 4DSQ was assessed using (partial) correlations with job stress, coping, and strain. As expected, the distress scale showed the strongest correlations with the indicators of strain, as well as with job stress and coping. In conclusion, the 4DSQ is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in a working population to distinguish between stress-related symptoms and psychiatric illness.
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