The 11-item workplace organizational policies and practices questionnaire (OPP-11): examination of its construct validity, factor structure, and predictive validity in injured workers with upper-limb disorders

Background Reliable and valid measurement of workplace organizational policies and practices (OPPs) is needed to evaluate their influences on the prevention and management of occupational injuries. Methods Injured workers (n = 614) attending an upper-limb specialty clinic operated by the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board of Ontario were recruited for a 1-year study. The OPP-11, completed at baseline, was examined for scaling properties (floor/ceiling effects, internal consistency, and item-convergent/discriminant validity), construct validity, and factor structure. Predictive validity for longitudinal work disability was examined using multivariable logistic regressions. Results Strong scaling properties were observed for the OPP-11. High internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80-0.90) and expected associations with comparator constructs were evident. A 4-domain structure (fit statistics: CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, and RMSEA = 0.06) was supported. Higher OPP-11 predicted more favorable 12-month work disability outcomes, after adjusting for demographic and health attributes. Conclusions The OPP-11 is valid for use in upper-limb disorders. Expanding the ergonomic practices domain could be considered. Am. J. Ind. Med. c 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc