A consensus method for updating psychosocial measures used in NIOSH health hazard evaluations.

OBJECTIVE An expert panel was convened to select practical, valid psychosocial measures for use during National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health field investigations. METHODS A taxonomy of psychosocial constructs was developed using existing taxonomies and criteria regarding the malleability, actionability, and validity of constructs. Panel members identified measures for each construct based on their expertise and experience. Measures were selected on the basis of the following criteria: practicality, brevity, validity, availability of existing data, and lack of confounds between psychosocial constructs and outcomes. RESULTS The panel came to a consensus in recommending 24 measures representing 22 constructs. CONCLUSIONS It is important that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health regularly evaluates its methodologies to ensure it is in line with current best practices. The measures identified will be used modularly in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health fieldwork depending on the nature of the evaluation request, industry type, and worker population.