Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to translate the Occupational Commitment Scale into Japanese, and examine its reliability and validity.
Methods: We developed a Japanese version of the Occupational Commitment Scale consisting of 18 items. We then tested its reliability and validity in a pilot study among nurses. As predicted, the results indicate that the three-factor structure of the scale (affective occupational commitment, continuance occupational commitment, and normative occupational commitment) is sufficiently reliable. Subsequent to testing, we mailed self-administered questionnaires to 4046 nurses in Japan, and analyzed 1331 (32.9%) of the responses we received.
Results: As with the original scale, three factors were extracted by factor analysis, but one item was excluded from the scale due to insufficient factor load. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model was valid for the 17-item scale (GFI=0.946, AGFI=0.925, CFI=0.929, RMSEA=0.060). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the scale and its three subscales were 0.690–0.837. Internal consistencies were confirmed by item–total correlation, resulting in one item’s exclusion. Concurrent validity was supported by positive correlations of the three subscales with job satisfaction, and negative correlations with intention to leave nursing.
Conclusion: While further studies are needed to confirm the reliability and validity of one item, this study’s results indicate that the Japanese version of the Occupational Commitment Scale has acceptable reliability and construct validity.
