Developing a contemporary measure of employee perceptions of their work unit’s psychological sense of community

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-34
Author(s):  
Wade Arnold ◽  
Danny Arnold ◽  
Alain Neher ◽  
Morgan P. Miles
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Work Unit ◽  
Psychological Sense Of Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Contemporary Work ◽  
Psychological Sense

Purpose This paper aims to develop and psychometrically assess an individual’s perception of their work unit’s psychological sense of community (PSOCw) scale. This new scale is designed to capture the unique characteristics of a contemporary work unit that might include current practices such as hot-desking and workers located in physically separate locations. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops and then psychometrically accesses a new scale designed to better capture the psychological sense of community in a contemporary work unit. Findings The managerial implications for the PSOCw scale that is a psychometrically sound measure of work engagement, civility and collegiality in a work unit allow managers to audit a work unit based on these three dimensions and then take corrective actions to enhance the work unit’s sense of community. Originality/value The present study adapts previous work on PSOCw to a contemporary work environment where members of a work unit are often in physically separate locations and largely connect virtually.

Sense of community and perceptions of festival social impacts

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Van Winkle ◽  
Kyle M. Woosnam
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Social Variables ◽  
Psychological Sense Of Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Impacts ◽  
Psychological Sense

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between psychological sense of community (SOC) and perceived social impacts of festival events. Design/methodology/approach – SOC was measured using the four-dimensional Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) and the Festival Social Impact Attitudes Scale (FSIAS) was used to measure perceived impacts. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires provided to residents of Caldwell, Texas following the annual Kolache Festival. Findings – Results revealed a relation between two dimensions of the BSCS, needs fulfillment and influence, and the way in which impacts are perceived. Specifically, needs fulfillment was positively related to social benefits and individual benefits. Needs fulfillment was negatively related to social costs. Influence related to impacts in the same manner. Research limitations/implications – This research provides support for a four-dimensional conceptualization of SOC and highlights the importance of examining the relation between psycho-social variables and perceptions of impact. Further research in additional settings is recommended. Practical implications – Results suggest that individuals with greater SOC are better able to perceive festival impacts and could be mobilized by festival administrators to address festival issues. Further research in additional settings is recommended. Originality/value – Empirical explorations of psychological SOC have been common in a range of community settings but have not received much attention with in the festival literature. Exploring how SOC is related to festival experiences can enhance theory development within this field of study as well as provide needed insight for festival administrators.

scholarly journals Psychological Sense of Community and the Use of Condoms and PrEP Among a Sample of Aging Black MSM

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 824-824
Author(s):  
Andre Brown ◽  
Mark Brennan-Ing ◽  
Steven Meanley ◽  
Sabina Haberlen ◽  
Deanna Ware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Sense Of Community ◽  
Hiv Risk Reduction ◽  
Psychological Sense

Abstract Psychological sense of community (PSOC) in Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) may facilitate condom and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use to prevent HIV transmission. Understanding BMSM’s PSOC contribution to HIV risk reduction may inform HIV prevention efforts for this population, that is disproportionately affected by HIV. Adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and HIV status, we conducted logistic regressions to test the association between PSOC and condom use among aging BMSM (n=176). Multivariate analyses exhibited no association between PSOC and condom use (AOR= 0.994, 95% CI= 0.942, 1.049). HIV+ participants had higher condom use odds compared to HIV- participants (AOR= 4.031, 95% CI= 1.723, 9.426). A sub-analysis of HIV- participants (n=61), showed no associated between PSOC and PrEP use (AOR= 1.002, 95% CI= 0.904, 1.112). These results have implications for secondary HIV prevention and future research on alternative aspects of social support that may increase BMSM’s HIV risk reduction behaviors.

scholarly journals A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Brief Sense of Community Scale for Spanish-Speaking Older Adults in Puerto Rico

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
Tommy Buckley ◽  
Kyeongmo Kim ◽  
Denise Burnette
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychological Sense Of Community ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Psychological Sense

Abstract Psychological sense of community is a concept used to describe how individuals feel about their community. The Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) is an 8-item scale that includes these four domains: membership, needs fulfillment, emotional connection, and influence. It has been used in various contexts and was validated with young adults in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this study was to validate the BSCS for use with Spanish-speaking older adults in Puerto Rico. We conducted face-to-face interviews with a non-probability sample of 154 community- dwelling adults aged 60+ in Puerto Rico. BSCS is comprised of a 5-point likert-type scale with score values ranging from 0 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) (total score range 0-32, mean= 24.75, SD= 6.04), and it showed good reliability in our sample (a=.85) and acceptable subscale reliability (membership, a=.85; needs fulfillment, a=.85; influence, a=.66; and emotional connection, a=.69). Five competing factor structures were tested based on prior research using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA indicated that a four factor structure from the original scale was the best fit (χ² (16) =25.9; p=.06; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.98; TLI=.97; SRMR=.04). The BSCS showed significant correlations in the expected direction with quality of life (r=.41), social isolation (r=.34), loneliness (r=.27) and self-rated health (r=.17). We conclude that the BSCS is a valid and reliable scale for measuring psychological sense of community with community-dwelling Spanish-speaking older adults in Puerto Rico. Future research should confirm and extend our findings with other Spanish-speaking older adult populations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document