Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Psychosocial Work Environment Scale for Employed Persons (MPWES)

Background: Psychosocial well-being at work is a multidimensional construct associated
with employee health, organizational functioning, sustainable workforce development,
and population mental health. However, few theoretically integrated instruments simultaneously
assess work-related resources, job demands, psychosocial risks, and employee
subjective well-being. This study aimed to develop and conduct the initial validation of the
Multidimensional Psychosocial Work Environment Scale for Employed Persons (MPWES),
grounded in the OECD well-being framework, the WHO-5 conceptual approach, and the
Job Demands–Resources model. Methods: Scale development involved theory-driven
identification of psychosocial dimensions, item generation, content and face validity assessment,
and stepwise psychometric evaluation. Content validity was assessed using
the Content Validity Index, and face validity using the Face Validity Index. The hypothesized
structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency
was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega, while convergent and discriminant
validity were assessed using Average Variance Extracted, Composite Reliability,
and inter-factor correlations. Results: The proposed measurement model comprised ten
dimensions: SubjectiveWell-Being, Inclusion, Social Support,Workplace Harassment,Work
Intensity, Work-related Psychosomatic Strain, Professional Development, Health Risks,
Financial Safety, and Autonomy. CFA results provided preliminary and partial support
for the proposed ten-factor structure, with borderline-to-acceptable absolute fit indices but
limited-to-moderate incremental fit indices. Most dimensions demonstrated acceptable
internal consistency; however, convergent and discriminant validity findings should be
interpreted cautiously, particularly for dimensions with few items, Financial Safety, and
the high correlation between Inclusion and Social Support. Conclusions: The findings
provide preliminary empirical support for the MPWES as an initial integrated assessment
framework. Further longitudinal, cross-cultural, and independent validation is required.