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Occupation-specific screening for future sickness absence: criterion validity of the trucker strain monitor (TSM)

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health volume 78, pages 27–34 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Background: Monitoring psychological job strain may help occupational physicians to take preventive action at the appropriate time. For this purpose, the 10-item trucker strain monitor (TSM) assessing work-related fatigue and sleeping problems in truck drivers was developed. Objectives: This study examined (1) test–retest reliability, (2) criterion validity of the TSM with respect to future sickness absence due to psychological health complaints and (3) usefulness of the TSM two-scales structure. Methods: The TSM and self-administered questionnaires, providing information about stressful working conditions (job control and job demands) and sickness absence, were sent to a random sample of 2000 drivers in 1998. Of the 1123 responders, 820 returned a completed questionnaire 2 years later (response: 72%). Results: The TSM work-related fatigue scale, the TSM sleeping problems scale and the TSM composite scale showed satisfactory 2-year test–retest reliability (coefficient r=0.62, 0.66 and 0.67, respectively). The work-related fatigue, sleeping problems scale and composite scale had sensitivities of 61, 65 and 61%, respectively in identifying drivers with future sickness absence due to psychological health complaints. The specificity and positive predictive value of the TSM composite scale were 77 and 11%, respectively. The work-related fatigue scale and the sleeping problems scale were moderately strong correlated (r=0.62). However, stressful working conditions were differentially associated with the two scales. Conclusions: The results support the test–retest reliability, criterion validity and two-factor structure of the TSM. In general, the results suggest that the use of occupation-specific psychological job strain questionnaires is fruitful.

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Affiliations

  1. Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, Academic Medical Center, Research Institute Amsterdam Center for Health and Health, Care Research (AmCOGG), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Einar M. De Croon, Judith K. Sluiter & Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen

  2. TNO Work and Employment, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

    Roland W. B. Blonk

Authors
  1. Einar M. De Croon
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  2. Roland W. B. Blonk
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  3. Judith K. Sluiter
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  4. Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen
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Correspondence to Einar M. De Croon.

Appendix

Appendix

The trucker strain monitor (TSM) comprises two sub-scales: (1) the work-related fatigue scale, and (2) the sleeping problems scale. The work-related fatigue scale and sleeping problems scale scores are calculated by adding the individual’s scores on the (recoded) respective items (0=never, 1=rarely, 2=sometimes, 3=often, 4=always). Higher scores indicate a higher degree of work-related fatigue and sleeping problems. A composite TSM scale score is attained by summation of the TSM work-related fatigue scale score and the TSM sleeping problem scale score. Higher scores on the TSM composite scale indicate a higher degree of overall psychological job strain. The Trucker Strain Monitor (TSM) (items 2, 4, 5 and 10 need to be recoded).

Trucker strain monitor (TSM) Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
wrf 1. After doing a lot of loading and unloading for some days, I feel physically exhausted. * * * * *
sp 2. I sleep well. * * * * *
wrf 3. During the working day, I need extra breaks. * * * * *
wrf 4. After a long day at work, I have enough energy to tackle anything. * * * * *
sp 5. I usually fall asleep easily. * * * * *
wrf 6. After several days of lots of loading and unloading, I cannot do my work so well because of tiredness. * * * * *
sp 7. I sleep uneasily. * * * * *
wrf 8. When I have driven all day, it is hard for me to unwind. * * * * *
sp 9. When I wake up in the night, it’s hard for me to fall asleep again. * * * * *
wrf 10. After work, I relax easily. * * * * *
  1. wrf work-related fatigue; sp sleeping problems

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De Croon, E.M., Blonk, R.W.B., Sluiter, J.K. et al. Occupation-specific screening for future sickness absence: criterion validity of the trucker strain monitor (TSM). Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78, 27–34 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0551-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0551-0

Keywords

  • Psychological job strain
  • Stressful working conditions
  • Sickness absence
  • Psychological health complaints